POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – Three young lives from the same community were lost in a violent crash on a busy South Florida road just before 7 p.m. on Monday. The Broward Sheriff’s Office says a white BMW carrying three teens collided with another vehicle before jumping a curb and crashing into a bus stop, a concrete light pole, and a tree along North Federal Highway near a shopping plaza.
The victims, all from Pompano Beach, were identified as 18‑year‑old Richard Manuel Alcocer, 16‑year‑old Miguel Montez and 15‑year‑old Ruben Baltazar. All three were rushed to Broward Health North but were pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
According to investigators, the crash began when the BMW struck a raised concrete curb in the center median, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The sedan then sideswiped a 2024 Acura Integra that was turning onto the highway, spun clockwise across the roadway, jumped the west curb and plowed into the bus stop and light pole before coming to rest against a tree.
The driver of the Acura was not injured and was able to stop safely in a left‑turn lane. Damage to that vehicle was limited to a sideswipe on the front driver’s side, authorities said.
Family members, including Richard Alcocer’s brother, have spoken of their heartbreak and disbelief. They described the three boys as close friends and classmates who were full of life. “It’s tragic what happened to them,” one relative said, struggling to find words.
Preliminary findings by the Broward Sheriff’s Office suggest that excessive speed may have played a role in the crash, though the investigation is still underway. Detectives are collecting witness statements and reviewing video footage that could shed light on what led up to the devastating collision.
The scene along North Federal Highway remained closed for hours as first responders and investigators worked late into the night, clearing debris and documenting evidence. Neighbors and bystanders watched in stunned silence as crews removed the wreckage.
This tragedy has left a deep wound in the Pompano Beach community. Friends, classmates and residents are mourning the loss of three young lives cut far too short, and many are calling for safer roads and greater awareness of the risks of high‑speed driving.
