On their trip to paradise: ‘Siblings killed in I-95 crash were organ donors, best friends

ORLANDO, Florida – The parents of two siblings killed in an accident on Interstate 95 on Tuesday after a suspect fleeing authorities hit their vehicle head-on in Volusia County, said young adults would continue to live thanks to their organ donation.

The wreckage occurred when a 47-year-old man driving a stolen vehicle out of Orange County trying to evade authorities by turning around on the freeway, driving north in the southbound lanes , crashed into the SUV with three siblings and their cousin inside. . The Orlando man was also killed in the crash.

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Domynick Milis, 21, and Danycka Milis, 18, from Omro, Wisconsin, were on their way back to the house where they were staying on Tuesday evening after seeing the Christmas lights on Daytona International Speedway when they were killed in the crash in Volusia County. Said Sheriff Mike Chitwood. Their younger brother and cousin were seriously injured in the accident.

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

A family friend started a GoFundMe for the Milis family to cover funeral costs. More than half of the goal of $ 100,000 was reached Thursday morning thanks to donations from 1,000 people.

Tina Milis, the mother of the victims, shared a post on the fundraising site describing the siblings as “best friends” and writing that she was “grateful they met on their trip to heaven “.

The brother and sister were both organ donors, she writes.

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

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

Chitwood said the Milis missed their outing before the crash and if they didn’t, they would be alive today.

“Life is precious. Twenty-five meters, 25 meters difference. They make this exit, they are alive. They missed this exit, they are dead. Life is precious. At this time of year, every time of year, maybe you should hold your family a little closer because a family isn’t doing that tonight, ”the sheriff said.

The driver of the stolen car has not been identified by authorities. Chitwood said he had a long criminal history and was shocked that he was not in jail at the time of the crash.

“He killed two people. These children were murdered. It’s no different than he took a gun and put it on their heads, what he did to these kids, ”Chitwood said of the suspect.

Drake, the 13-year-old brother of Domynick and Danycka, was in the back seat of the SUV and suffered serious injuries. He was taken to the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando. According to his mother’s post, he has a broken collarbone, fractured ribs and bruised lungs as well as a laceration in his kidney that doctors are watching closely.

The brother’s 17-year-old cousin, Kyley Larsen, was also in the SUV and suffered serious injuries. Larsen was taken to a Halifax hospital, according to an FHP report. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help with her medical bills.

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 for the prayers to continue.

“We have no idea how we’ll go through life without two of the most amazing, caring and selfless human beings I will ever be able to call my son and daughter,” the post read. .

Family and friends are planning a candlelight vigil for Domynick and Danycka Milis on New Years Eve at Omro High School in Wisconsin.

Adrienne Cutway contributed to this report.