MARGATE, Fla. – Police have released the identity of the driver who led police on a chase before a crash that killed his 18-year-old passenger.
Coconut Creek police Sgt. Brandi DelVecchio said Fabreece Ductan, 19, was driving the car that sped away from police, veered into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle early Saturday. Abigail Espinoza, 18, was a passenger in the car.
"It's devastating," best friend and co-worker Brianna Reeves told Local 10 News. "We lost an angel, you know. This is the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life."
Reeves, who worked with Espinoza at Boston Market, remembered her friend as a sweet, fun-loving and caring person who recently graduated from Coral Springs High School.
According to a police report, the chase began at a Coconut Creek apartment complex after police received a call about a noise complaint.
When an officer arrived, he smelled alcohol and marijuana coming from a parked car with its lights on at the time. The officer also noticed a liquor bottle in the cup holder and a Mason jar in the driver's lap.
After the officer asked the driver to turn off the car, Ductan sped away.
Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the car kept going, weaving in and out of traffic before crashing into another vehicle on Rock Island Road in Margate.
"She shouldn't have been there," Reeves said of her friend.
Reeves created a GoFundMe page to raise money for Espinoza's family.
"I love you, baby," Reeves said, speaking to her friend from beyond the grave. "I got you. I'm going to dedicate my life to you."
Ductan is expected to face charges in connection with the fatal crash.