A couple crashed into the same church in Alabama days apart, and both met the same fate, officials said.
Riverside officials responded to a report of a fire at a local Baptist church in St. Clair County, Alabama, last Thursday around 1:30 a.m., according to WBRC and AL.com.
"A defensive operation was established as fire had spread quickly throughout the building," Riverside Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement. "Aerial operations began soon after first arriving units. Crews battled the fire through the entire night and into early dawn."
Officials believed that someone had crashed into the church's basement after leaving the roadway, about 40 miles east of Birmingham.
The remains inside the vehicle were later identified as 19-year-old Anthony Banks Jr, per the news outlet.
More:NHRA legend John Force remains hospitalized in Virginia following fiery crash
Three days later, Banks' girlfriend, Jennefer L. Arellano Maldonado, crashed into the same church while trying to evade police just before 1:00 a.m. Sunday, per the news reports.
Officials said she hit a brick wall, and her car caught on fire. According to the outlets, Arellano Maldonado was driving a 2019 BMW X5, which authorities alleged was stolen from her aunt.
She was determined dead at the scene.
USA TODAY reached out to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Riverside Police for additional comment.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].
2024-12-26 10:561311 view
2024-12-26 10:521429 view
2024-12-26 10:46110 view
2024-12-26 10:162029 view
2024-12-26 09:231126 view
2024-12-26 09:05956 view
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey is aiming to drastically reduce the amount of packaging material — p
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office for a third consecutive term on Sunday, but it may
CLAYTON., N.C. (AP) — One person died on Monday from a shooting involving an officer after an alterc