A 19-year-old woman died in a motor accident in St. Clair County after allegedly escaping police and striking the Riverside Baptist Church.
Jennifer L. Arellano-Maldonado was the girlfriend of another youngster who died after he slammed into the church and caught fire, just days before her horrific accident. Anthony Banks Jr., 19, died early Thursday after reportedly losing control of his vehicle and colliding with a church. The wreck occurred shortly before 1:30 a.m.
Riverside Fire and Rescue and the Pell City Fire Department responded to the incident. Fire authorities reported the fire spread fast throughout the building.
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Aerial operations began shortly after the first arriving units, and workers battled the fire all night and into the morning.
“Riverside Baptist Church has been a staple in our small town for decades,” Riverside Fire and Rescue wrote on Facebook. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the family of the deceased during this difficult time.”
Then, on Sunday morning, Arellano-Maldonado was killed when she crashed into the burnt church. The crash occurred at 12:53 a.m.
According to Senior Alabama State Trooper Brandon Bailey, Arellano-Maldonado was attempting to avoid a Riverside police officer at the time of the crash.
The 2019 BMW X5 she was driving veered off the road, collided with a brick wall and caught fire al.com stated.
Arellano-Maldonado was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene. She lived in Odenville.
Riverside Police Chief Jacob Heath revealed that both victims were in a relationship with each other. The BMW driven by Arellano-Maldonado was reported stolen, according to authorities.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is conducting an ongoing investigation.
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