POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Loved ones have identified the woman who, authorities said, was struck and killed by a speeding car while she was out rollerblading in Pompano Beach, leaving her unrecognizable.
Friends of 27-year-old Aline Palla Acosta called her a kind woman who had a bright future ahead of her.
“She’s so beautiful. She was very smart,” said longtime friend Daniela Del Ciampo.
“She was always doing something, like exercising or working, hanging out with her friends and stuff,” said family friend Luiza Barbosa.
“She just wanted to enjoy life,” said Del Ciampo.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the victim was rollerblading along a multipurpose path along the 600 block of Northeast 10th Street when the driver of a silver Nissan that was traveling at a high rate of speed lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a tree, at around 5 p.m., Wednesday.
Detectives said the Nissan was going so fast that it split in half on impact, sending part of the car into a fence. The other half landed in the middle of the road.
Investigators said pieces of the car pinned Acosta to a pole.
Friends of the victim said she was on the phone with her mother, who lives in Brazil, when the parent suddenly heard a loud noise.
“She was talking to her, and she heard some crash, and she couldn’t hear her daughter anymore,” said Del Ciampo.
Friends said Acosta’s mother called out for her, but there was no answer.
7SkyForce HD hovered above the mangled vehicle. Skid marks could be seen near the tree.
“I rollerblade here all the time. That’s really scary, especially with my dog,” said area resident Brooke Kosher. “I would say I wouldn’t be as fast to react.”
Investigators said the driver and passenger were both ejected from the car. They were later identified as 25-year-old Endail Thomas and 37-year-old Melissa Gregoire, respectively.
Paramedics transported them to an area hospital, where they remain in critical condition, Thursday.
Thursday night, 7News cameras captured a woman rollerblading down the path, as well as several walkers out for a stroll. A lone bouquet of flowers was laid against the tree in memory of Acosta.
The tragedy has now left Acosta’s loved ones grappling with this immense loss.
“She was such a great person. She didn’t deserve this,” said Del Ciampo. “Of course, nobody does, but she was such a great person.”
Acosta’s friends and family have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to send her body home to Brazil. If you would like to make a donation, click here.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.