Family of Teen, Child Killed in I-575 Crash Seeks Help

Family and friends of the Acworth teen and the 8-year-old boy killed in Monday's crash on Interstate 575 South are asking for the public's help.

Rosa Isabel Fernandez-Zuniga has created the Abraham & Felipe Help Fund on giveforward.com to raise money for "funeral expenses in the US and to send the remains of Abraham Fernandez to ... Honduras."

The goal is $20,000. As of Wednesday night, more than $2,900 had been raised.

Just before 2 p.m. Monday, Abraham Fernandez-Zuniga of Acworth was driving a red 2001 Chrysler Town and Country minivan northbound on I-575 with his 8-year-old nephew in tow. At the same time, Earldean Clayton of Rex was driving southbound on I-575 in a white 2007 International 7600 commercial vehicle.

"For reasons unknown, the Chrysler exited the left side of the roadway, and continued in a northwesterly direction through the center median," said Officer Mike Bowman, the department's spokesman. "As the Chrysler entered into the southbound lanes, it was struck in the driver’s side by the commercial truck."

Fernandez-Zuniga, 19, died at the scene just north of Chastain Road. So did his nephew. Clayton, 42, was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Bowman said.

A funeral will be held for Fernandez-Zuniga and his nephew at 4 p.m. today at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Acworth, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The 8-year-old will be buried at Pineridge Memorial Park in Kennesaw.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call 770-499-3987.

Donations to the Abraham & Felipe Help Fund will be accepted online or at any Bank of America. The account number is 003287175584.

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