Las Vegas teenagers killed in a hit-and-run accident were on their way home from a Fourth of July Independence Day party

Ryan Matthey and Julia Romero

1 hour ago

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Before the barrier tape was raised around a traffic accident that left two people dead, confetti fell for the occupants of the car.

Julian Torres is photographed arm in arm with his parents at his graduation from Las Vegas High School in May. Another photo shows him as the star player on the football team scoring a touchdown. Another shows a sweet moment between him, his seven-year-old sister and a rabbit.

8 News Now has received numerous photos from family and friends that show the 18-year-old as they remember him: a passionate sports fan, loving brother and dedicated student. His brother Luis spoke exclusively with 8 News Now on Monday.

“Julian was the light of our lives from the moment he was born,” Luis said during a virtual interview Monday afternoon, smiling as he remembered his brother. “He was always the happiest child in the family.”

Luis said his brother is on track to begin studying economics at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) this fall, less than a year after being nominated for the 2023 NFL Latino Youth Honors. There he would be in class again with a longtime friend from the Las Vegas Valley.

Ethan Velasquez, 19,’s success at UNR partly convinced Torres to continue his education there, Luis said, adding that the two are part of a larger group of teens who will head to their respective college campuses in the coming weeks and set off fireworks together on the Fourth of July.

That departure will not happen for the duo now, as the Clark County Coroner identified both of them on Monday as victims of Friday’s fatal two-driver crash in the East Valley.

Las Vegas Metro Police said the crash was first reported around 2:45 a.m. Friday morning at Hollywood and Charleston boulevards. According to police investigations, a white truck ran a red light at a high rate of speed before colliding with a blue car that had a green light. Torress and Velasquez were in the blue car.

According to police, they were hit by the truck on the side of the driveway, causing their car to go through a backyard wall. Arriving medical personnel pronounced them dead at the scene, police said.

The truck driver then fled on foot and abandoned the vehicle, police said. Investigators have only publicly released the suspect’s age: 20 years old. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police confirmed that no arrests had been made as of Monday afternoon.

“I’ll just leave it to the authorities,” Luis said when asked about his feelings about the suspect’s disappearance.

Luis added that Velasquez was driving to his home, which was less than a half-mile from the intersection, so Torress was able to pick up his car and drive home Friday morning.

The Velasquez family declined to give an interview on Monday, but instead sent this statement:

Ethan was loved and cared for by so many. This loss has deeply affected not only his family, but the entire community. Ethan always had the brightest spirit, so much compassion for others, and the silliest jokes. We love him so much and now that love becomes a part of us. He never forgot to live his life to the fullest and have countless spontaneous adventures. He was silly and always messing around while making others around him laugh. Ethan was approachable, friendly, and welcoming to everyone, and his good heart was evident. His laugh, silliness, and positive energy are what drew so many people to him. He had countless friends at LVHS and UNR. Ethan was so excited that his dear Julian would be joining him at UNR in the upcoming school year.

Both families have started separate fundraisers for their respective funeral expenses. Both Torress GoFundMe and Velasquez GoFundMe aim to raise $25,000.