Volusia County teen arrested, charged in 'car-surfing' deaths

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla.,None — A dangerous act turned deadly for two Volusia county teenagers who were killed in a car-surfing crash, and now the driver is facing charges in their deaths.

Eighteen-year-old Joshua Ritter turned himself in to authorities at the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, Tuesday afternoon.

Deputies say Ritter was going nearly twice the speed limit when he crashed the SUV on a Debary Road in February. Witnesses say the victims were taking turns car-surfing just before the fiery wreck.

It took eight months, but investigators finally pieced together the fiery crash on Fort Florida Road that killed two teens. Ritter was driving that day in February when Carlos Valazco and Hunter Perez were killed.

Hunter's mother, Robin Parker, spoke to WFTV on Tuesday.

"He had a torturous, gruesome end that no child deserves," said Parker.

At the time of the crash, Hunter was in the back seat. Deputies say another teen was riding on the back as Valasco was on holding onto the outside when Ritter lost control of the SUV.

Parker partially blames Ritter for her son's death.

"When you're in care and control of the vehicle that makes you 100 percent, 100 percent responsible," said Parker.

Leading up to the crash, deputies say there is cellphone video that can't be released that showed the teens reaching speeds of 80 mph in a 35 mph zone. The SUV rolled over and burst into flames.

Parker still believes her son, who was trapped inside, could have been saved.

"Every day I wake up, I think it's a dream. I don't know how I'll go on without him," said Parker.

Ritter is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of reckless driving.

WFTV