“On their journey to heaven:” Brothers killed in an I-95 accident were organ donors, best friends

ORLANDO, Fla. – The parents of two siblings died Tuesday in an accident on Interstate 95 after a suspect fleeing frontally attacked his vehicle in Volusia County, saying young adults will continue to live on thanks to their organ donations .

The accident occurred when a 47-year-old man driving a stolen vehicle in Orange County tried to evade authorities by making a U-turn on the interstate and driving north through the southbound lanes that collided with the SUV with three brothers and their cousin inside. . The Orlando man also died in the crash.

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Domynick Milis, 21, and Danycka Milis, 18, of Omro, Wisconsin, were returning to the house where they were staying Tuesday night after seeing the Christmas lights at Daytona International Speedway when they died. in shock, in the county of Volusia. Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. Her younger brother and cousin were seriously injured in the crash.

A letter from the Omro, Wisconsin School District, sent to families Wednesday, identified the victims. Both were graduates of the Winnebago County School District, Wisconsin.

A family friend started a GoFundMe for the Milis family to cover funeral expenses. More than half of the $ 100,000 target had been met Thursday morning with donations from 1,000 people.

Tina Milis, the victims’ mother, shared a message on the fundraising site describing the siblings as “best of friends” and wrote that she was “grateful to have each other on their trip to the cel “.

The brother and sister were organ donors, he wrote.

[RELATED: 3 dead, 2 injured in wrong-way crash caused by fleeing suspect on I-95 in Volusia]

“Domynick and Danycka were organ donors, so someone will be able to see this beautiful world through their eyes, hear their heartbeat a little louder with new valves and walk a little higher with new veins,” they said. Tina and Daniel Milis in a statement posted on a GoFundMe for the family.

Chitwood said the Milis lost the start before the crash and if they hadn’t, they would be alive today.

“Life is beautiful. Twenty-five yards, 25 yards difference. They make this exit, they are alive. They have lost that exit, they are dead. Life is beautiful. This time of year, every time of year, maybe you should keep your family a little closer because some families don’t do it tonight, ”the sheriff said.

The driver of the stolen car has not been identified by authorities. Chitwood said he had a long criminal record and was surprised he was not in jail at the time of the accident.

“She killed two people. Those children were murdered. It’s no different than if he grabbed a gun and put it in his head, which he did with those kids, ”Chitwood said of the suspect.

Domynick and Danycka’s 13-year-old brother, Drake, was in the back seat of the SUV and suffered serious injuries. He was transferred to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. According to her mother’s message, she has a broken collarbone, fractured ribs and injured lungs, as well as a kidney laceration that the doctor is watching closely.

Brother Kyley Larsen’s 17-year-old cousin was also in the SUV and suffered serious injuries. Larsen was taken to Halifax Hospital, according to an FHP report. A GoFundMe page has also been created to help you with your medical expenses.

All four were wearing seat belts, the FHP said.

In the post, Tina and Daniel Milis thanked their friends and family for the outpouring of love and support, but asked that the prayers continue.

“We have no idea how we will go through life without two of the most amazing, worried and disinterested human beings I will ever be able to name my son and daughter,” the message read.

Family and friends plan a candlelight vigil for Domynick and Danycka Milis on New Year’s Eve at Wisconsin’s Omro High School.

Adrienne Cutway contributed to this report.