ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The family of a Connecticut man killed in a suspected DUI crash near International Drive is remembering him as a devoted father and partner while his fiancée remains on life support.
Nealson Carrasquillo, 29, was in Orlando celebrating his birthday when he was killed in the early Sunday morning crash, his family told Channel 9.
His 23-year-old fiancée, Julissa Velazquez, was seriously injured and remains on life support, according to the family.
Carrasquillo’s parents, William Carrasquillo and Ashley Studwell, spoke with Channel 9 Eyewitness News from their home in Connecticut about the son they lost and the family he leaves behind.
“Nealson is ... the best kid that any parent could ask for,” Studwell said. “If my five-year-old grows up to be half the man that Nealson is, then I will have succeeded as his mom.”
Carrasquillo leaves behind a young daughter and a 7-month-old son he shares with Julissa.
His father described him as hardworking and deeply committed to his family.
“He’s just a good kid, and he goes above and beyond for his family and stuff,” William Carrasquillo said. “He never did drugs. He don’t drink. He don’t smoke weed. He don’t hang out. He don’t go to clubs.”
The family said Carrasquillo had planned to propose to Julissa and was proud of the life they were building together.
Now, their infant son has lost his father while his mother continues to fight for her life in the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Carrasquillo was driving south on International Drive around 2:46 a.m. Sunday when his Volkswagen Jetta was struck by a pickup truck at Central Florida Parkway.
Carrasquillo was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators said the 19-year-old driver of the pickup ran a red light before the crash and later fled the scene on foot. He was arrested and faces charges including DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
Carrasquillo’s family said their focus remains on grieving Nealson and praying for Julissa.
When asked about the driver accused in the crash, Studwell said she hopes he remains behind bars.
“I just hope he don’t get out. You know, purely, I don’t want him to get out at all,” she said.
For Carrasquillo’s family, the loss is about far more than what happened at the intersection.
They are remembering a son, father and partner whose future with his family was cut short.
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