Flags at both College of the Canyons campuses are flying at half-staff today in honor of two young students killed in a violent crash on Interstate 5 in Commerce over the weekend.
Both Michelle Littlefield, 19, and Brian Lewandowski, 18, were enrolled in four classes at COC, according to Chancellor Dianne G. Van Hook. Littlefield was an accounting major and Lewandowski was studying computer science.
“All of us at College of the Canyons are grieving their loss. Their deaths leave a void on our campus, in the classrooms and among their friends,” Van Hook wrote in a campus-wide email message.
“I know Brian and Michelle will be greatly missed by their teachers and classmates, who will remember the relationships they had with these bright, caring, and committed students. And I know they will be inspired by the moments and memories Brian and Michelle created and shared for others as they worked hard to be the best people they could be,” Van Hook wrote.
Littlefield and Lewandowski were on their way home to Santa Clarita from Disneyland late Friday night when a UPS truck was struck by a street racer and then flipped over the freeway’s center median and crashed into them head-on.
Twenty-one-year-old Anthony “Tony” Miramontes, was in a coma after the crash, according to Van Hook. He is being treated at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood.
“While we mourn the loss of Brian and Michelle, we join their families in supporting Tony’s recovery,” Van Hook wrote. “We wish him the best, and hope that he can rejoin his friends and classmates at College of the Canyons as soon as possible.”
Lewandowski was the son of a homicide lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department, which said on behalf of the family: “Brian was an incredible young man and every parent’s dream for a son. We are absolutely devastated by our loss. Our hearts go out to the other victims and their families and our prayers are for the survivors’ recovery. We are very thankful for the love and support of family and friends throughout this time.”
Littlefield’s father told NBC News: “I’m sorry this happened to both of us. We would never want any of this. Michelle would be disappointed she was killed. But she would never hold any ill will.”
Van Hook said counselors will be available in the Student Health Center to talk with any students, faculty and staff members who have been touched personally by the tragedy.
The center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Valencia Campus, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Canyon Country Campus.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to those who cared for and loved these two amazing young people, especially their parents,” Van Hook wrote. “We are better because they shared them with us.”
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55 Comments
RIP.
So tragic ?
So very sad
May God give their families the strength during this hard time.
This breaks my heart. My prayers are with their families. May God comfort you during this devastating time. Such a tragedy they both had such bright futures ahead of them.
May they RIP and may their family find comfort in knowing they are in a better place. My deepest condolences to both families.
Her mom is a Realtor. It was their only child. I’m so sad she lost her baby girl. She was so loved & cared for & those idiot street racers ruined it.
Paquita Please let your friend know many of us are pray for her.
Prayers <3
So tragic. Prayers
Omgoodness, they have been on my mind and in my prayers all weekend. Such a tragic waste. ?
Deb Vasques
Prayers going out to all their love ones. So tragic. My they find comfort in God in this sadness time. My condolences to all their families and friends. RIP
So sad ?
Soo sad.
Good people are robbed of life by evil idiots. It’s very upsetting that these two young kids who had gone innocently to Disneyland , had to pass away because of “street racing”. Very unbelievable that anyone would even consider speeding down a public road with out regard for life, public safety? They have caused incredible sadness to these families & society. I hope this stops others from being so careless & dangerous on the roads. Michelle was a sweet darling girl & her parents only child. I’ve been very sad for them the last few days.
Well said! I’m praying for the families of these young people.
Well said. Matthew Granados Ruben Granados I had to share this with my boys.
May they RIP :(
Rip
? my beautiful cousin R.I.P
Omg I’m so sorry ?praying for all?
Thanks love ??
Gone so young, may they R.I.P.
SO very sad and senseless?
Senseless and tragic. Every parents fear.
Brian is my dads good friends son… He worked with him at the scv station. There are no words…?
Rip you cant even drive anywhere safely to many wreckless drivers
????
No words? Every parents worst fear to lose their beloved child! My prayer is that our God would comfort all the families involved with his ever mighty love and that they would feel his presence.
Just breaks my heart.
My heart is sad go them as well as the innocent UPS driver. He was innocent and lost his life as well. All such a senseless tragedy ?
So sad ❤️ ??
Such a sad story…R.I.P. Both of you….praying for strength over both families…. Tragic..
So sad. RIp.
So heartbreaking, praying 4 their families ???
Cinthia Alvarez
So sad
Heartbreaking unnecessary tragedy
RIP praying for the families and all who morn this loss!
Very sorry for the loss of these two young people!
Such a horrific tragedy two beautiful lives taken way to soon for someone else’s stupidity! Thoughts & prayers to the families, they will be forever in your hearts. Until you meet again. RIP.
My heart breaks for their family and friends!
Two beautiful souls. May your loved ones somehow be able to be comforted by the outpouring of prayers and love.
My heart goes out to their families. :-(
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Breaks my heart. Prayers going out to the families. Two beautiful souls gone too soon RIP angels
So sad to young ?
Very sad story. I am praying for their families through this extremely difficult time.
So sorry . Prayers.
I am heartbroken for the families of these two beautiful teens. May they rest in peace!!!!!
It is so tragic this happen they became angels at early age my thoughts are to the parents there is never any comfort loosing your children Msy God be with all of them
?
Two beautiful lives snuffed out because of an idiot raising.
Two Angels RIP in Heaven.??
I send prayers to both victims and their families, and friends. We are so sorry for your loss! They look like they were good young people!!