HIALEAH, FLA. (WSVN) - It was a difficult day back to school for some students returning to Hialeah High.
Students returned to school Monday – a week after a tragic crash left one of their classmates dead and another in the hospital.
“I know it was some people in school today that was sad,” student Nehmiah Holmes said. “For the ones who was close friends with him, I know it touched them somewhat down they heart that they lost they close friend.”
Nineteen-year-old Christopher Leyva is being hailed a hero for returning to a sinking car to save someone who was still trapped inside.
According to officials, Leyva and three other friends were in a car that plunged into a lake in Miami Lakes on New Year’s Day.
Friends of Leyva said he was able to escape from the wreck but returned to save 15-year-old Dezirae Joseph Gutierrez, who was trapped inside.
Gutierrez is now recovering at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. However, Leyva did not survive.
A close friend of Leyva’s spoke to 7News, expressing how much he will be missed.
“He couldn’t even hurt a fly,” said Javier Miralles,. “and from now on [it] hurts not to see him anymore at school and stuff. First period I was supposed to see him. It’s crazy ’cause the other day I was just with him.”
The school made counseling services available to any student who needed somebody to speak to.
“They went to the P.A. They said anyone that needs help to just go, they can talk to someone,” student Marlon Garcia said.
Police continue to investigate the crash.
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