BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. — Flowers, crosses, and tributes for the three people that died in a car crash Saturday continue to grow.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol said Saturday evening, 16-year-old Alexio Lattero lost control of his Dodge Charger, crossed the center lane, and hit a car.
Alexio Lattero had two passengers in the car at the time that died in the crash. One was a 15-year-old girl and also his 26-year-old sister Anna Lattero.
In the other car were Greensboro Firefighter Richard Murrell, 58, who died at the scene, and his wife Tonya Murrell, 50, who is in critical, but stable condition at a hospital.
Here's who the victims were and the tributes pouring in for them.
Richard 'Rick' Murrell
Murrell was in the other car that was hit. He was a 33-year veteran firefighter with the Greensboro Fire Department. The department said Murrell earned the rank of Engineer, worked at Station 5 for most of his career and was an example firefighter for those who knew him.
Rick was a husband and father of three children, ages 17, 19, and 21.
At the crash site, stands a cross bearing his belongings as a firefighter.
Anna Lattero
Anna Lattero was Alexio Lattero's sister. She was inside the car with him during the crash. Family and friends at the tribute said those two were inseparable and the best of friends. She was 26 years old.
Anna Lattero worked at a pizza place and gift shop in Gibsonville.
The family said she was friendly, took pride in being someone you could rely on, and was also known to be the 'cool aunt.'
Her family said she loved her nephew and would take him out to the park and give him sweet treats.
Sarah Martin
15-year-old Sarah Martin was also in the car with Alexio and Anna Lattero. This cross was put up by family members Monday.
Martin's cousin Taylor Cook said she is someone you always wanted to be around. She loved to jet ski around the lake, hunt with her dad, and loved the outdoors.
She was a straight-A student and a rising junior at Glenn High School. She was part of the academic club, and creative writing club, and was active in the technology department of theater.
Martin also had a passion for fundraising for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society.
The family mentioned Martin was close with Alexio Lattero, and that they'd been friends for several years.
They also mentioned that Alexio Lattero and Sarah Martin shared a passion for Jesus and loving the Lord.
Remembering the victims
It was emotional for each friend and family.
All families and friends putting down the gifts were quiet. Some people took photos.
Dozens were seen throughout Monday coming by to see what was left of the scene.
Robert Garrett lives right next to where the crash happened. He said it's heartbreaking to see the number of people impacted by this.
"You wouldn't believe how many people have stopped out here," said Garrett. "Ever since yesterday, it's been non-stop and there were people out here this morning before I got up."
Garrett said he heard the crash. He was walking into his house when all of a sudden he heard a sound that he said was deafening.
"I heard this loud crash and I knew exactly what it was and it was raining," Garrett said. "I turned around and the two cars hit so hard that they ended up backward facing the road, so I knew it was really bad."
He said he and his family are keeping those families in their thoughts and prayers.
"It was horrific, there is no doubt about it," he said. "It was one of the worst accidents I have ever seen and my heart goes out to them, this is a really hard thing to get past."
There are other tributes throughout the area as well. In Gibsonville, there is a pizza place that Anna and Alexio's family owns that has flowers and messages posted.
In Greensboro, the flag at Fire Station 5 is at half staff with Richard Murrell's equipment out front.
Alexio Lattero has improved and is expected to be out of the hospital. Family said he suffered a broken collarbone, broken ribs, and a punctured lung.
