‘On their journey to heaven:’ Brothers killed in the I-95 accident were organ donors, best friends

ORLANDO, Fla. – The parents of two brothers killed on Tuesday in an accident on Interstate 95 after a suspect fleeing the authorities hit his vehicle head-on in Volusia County, saying the youth will continue to live with their organ donations.

The accident happened when a 47-year-old man, driving a stolen vehicle out of Orange County, tried to escape the authorities by making a U-turn on the interstate, driving north on the southern lanes and colliding with the SUV with three brothers and his cousin inside. The Orlando man also died in the accident.

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Domynick Milis, 21, and Danycka Milis, 18, from Omro, Wisconsin, were returning to the home where they were staying on Tuesday night after seeing the Christmas lights at the Daytona International Speedway when they died in the accident, Volusia Sheriff County Mike Chitwood said. Her 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 trained in the school district of Winnebago County, Wisconsin.

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

Tina Milis, the victims’ mother, shared a message on the fundraising website describing the brothers as “best friends” and writing that she was “grateful to have each other on their journey to heaven”.

The brother and sister were organ donors, she 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 stronger with new valves and walk a little higher with new veins,” Tina and Daniel Milis said in a statement posted to a GoFundMe for the family.

Chitwood said the Milis lost their way out before the accident and, if they didn’t, they would be alive today.

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

The driver of the stolen car was not identified by the authorities. Chitwood said he had a long criminal record and was shocked that he was not in prison at the time of the accident.

“He murdered two people. These children were murdered. It is no different than if he took a gun and put it on their head, which he did with those children, ”said Chitwood 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 taken to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando. According to his mother’s post, he has a broken collarbone, fractured ribs and broken lungs, as well as a tear in the kidney that doctors are watching closely.

The 17-year-old brother’s cousin, Kyley Larsen, 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 with your medical expenses.

All four were wearing seat belts, said the FHP.

In the post, Tina and Daniel Milis thanked friends and family for showing love and support, but asked for continued prayers.

“We have no idea how we will get through life without 2 of the most incredible, caring and altruistic human beings that I can always call my son and daughter”, said the post.

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

Adrienne Cutway contributed to this report.