On their journey to heaven: “ Siblings who died in I-95 crash were organ donors, best friends

ORLANDO, Fla. – The parents of two siblings died in a crash on Interstate 95 on Tuesday after a suspected fleeing authorities hit their vehicle head-on in Volusia County, saying the young adults will live on from their organ donations.

The wreckage happened when a 47-year-old man drove a stolen vehicle out of Orange County and tried to evade authorities by making a U-turn on the highway, heading north in the southern lanes, and bumping into the SUV with three siblings and their cousin in it. . The Orlando man was also killed in the crash.

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Domynick Milis, 21, and Danycka Milis, 18, from Omro, Wisconsin, were on their way back to the house where they were staying Tuesday night after seeing the Christmas lights at the Daytona International Speedway when they were killed in the crash, Volusia County said Sheriff Mike Chitwood. Their younger brother and cousin were seriously injured in the crash.

The victims were identified in a letter from the Omro, Wisconsin Schools District sent to families on Wednesday. Both were graduates of the school district in Winnebago County, Wisconsin.

A family friend started a GoFundMe for the Milis family to cover funeral expenses. More than half of the $ 100,000 goal was reached by donations from 1,000 people Thursday morning.

Tina Milis, the victims’ mother, shared a message on the fundraising site describing the siblings as’ the best of friends’ and writing that she was’ grateful to have each other on their journey to heaven ‘.

The brother and sister were both organ donors, she wrote.

[RELATED: 3 dead, 2 injured in wrong-way crash caused by fleeing suspect on I-95 in Volusia]

“Domynick and Danycka were both organ donors, so someone will be able to see this beautiful world through their eyes, hear their heartbeat a little bit stronger with new valves and walk a little bit bigger with new veins,” said Tina and Daniel Milis in a posted statement. to a GoFundMe for the family.

Chitwood said the Milis had missed their exit prior to the crash and if they hadn’t, they would be alive today.

“Life is precious. Twenty-five yards, 25 yards. They make that exit, they live. They missed that exit, they are dead. Life is precious. This time of the year, any time of the year, you have to maybe keep your family a little closer because some family won’t be doing that tonight, ”the sheriff said.

The driver of the stolen car has not been identified by the authorities. Chitwood said he had a long criminal history and was shocked that he was not in prison at the time of the crash.

‘He killed two people. Those children were murdered. It’s no different than when he took a gun and put it to their heads, what he did to those kids, ”Chitwood said of the suspect.

Domynick and Danycka’s 13-year-old brother, Drake, sat in the backseat of the SUV and suffered serious injuries. He was taken to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando. According to his mother’s post, he has a broken collarbone, broken ribs and bruised lungs, as well as a tear in his kidney that the doctors are watching closely.

The sibling’s 17-year-old cousin, Kyley Larsen, was also in the SUV and sustained serious injuries. Larsen was taken to Halifax Hospital, according to an FHP report. A GoFundMe page has also been created to help with her medical expenses.

All four were wearing seat belts, the FHP said.

In the post, Tina and Daniel Milis thanked their friends and family for the outpouring of love and support, but asked for constant prayers.

“We have no idea how we will go through life without two of the most amazing, caring, selfless people I will forever call my son and daughter,” the report read.

Family and friends plan a candlelight vigil for Domynick and Danycka Milis on New Year’s Eve at Omro High School in Wisconsin.

Adrienne Cutway contributed to this report.