A community in Sunrise, Florida, is mourning the tragic deaths of two teenagers after a car plunged into a lake Tuesday night.
Venkata Sai Krishnamurthy, 18, was driving when his vehicle reportedly went off the road, crossed a median, struck a tree, and ended up in the water. Authorities believe he was lost at the time of the accident; speeding was not a factor.
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Aden Perry, 17, was purportedly walking his dog with his mother when he saw the incident. He selflessly jumped into action and went into the water to try and save Krishnamurthy, WSVN-TV reported.
Unfortunetely, Perry also died after rescue workers pulled him out of the lake and he was transported to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.
Witnesses have since described the heartbreaking scene immediately following Krishnamurthy’s plunge into the water. A neighbor heard a woman believed to be Perry’s mother screaming, “Oh, my son, my son, he went into the lake.”
“Supposedly, it was the mother of a 17-year-old who jumped in trying to save,” neighbor Josh Kelso told WSVN-TV. “And that’s why she was screaming, trying to get some help because her son was drowning as well.”
Many have praised Perry for sacrificing himself to try to help Krishnamurthy. At least one witness said Perry couldn’t swim, which only added to his heroism.
“It’s crazy that somebody has the courage to do that and jump up and step up to the plate,” Kelso told WSVN-TV. “It’s very unfortunate that the loss of somebody sacrificing themselves.”
Perry, a student at Western High School, was described by friends as intelligent, kind, and accomplished; he had recently been nominated for awards at school and was known as a “great kid.”
Some of his peers also praised his heroism.
#Update Flowers, candles adorn parking spot belonging to Aden Perry at Western High School in #Davie. The 17 year old died trying to rescue another student who drove into a #Sunrise lake Tuesday night. Friends prayed here today, to honor Aden’s heroism @nbc6 #OnlyOn6 pic.twitter.com/roMl2umnGK
— Marissa Bagg (@MarissaNBC6) April 21, 2022
“It was a selfless act, throwing yourself in there like that,” Coral Funes, a 12th grader at Perry’s school, said after the tragedy. “It’s so sad what happened to him, but it is beautiful what he did. It hit me because a lot of my friends are 17, and you think about losing them.”
Police are investigating the tragic incident. Continue to pray for the families and friends of Krishnamurthy and Perry, who are mourning during this difficult time.
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