CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. -- The family of one of the victims in a deadly crash in Port Charlotte spoke only to Fox 4 about how Florida Highway Patrol determined there was a third person involved in the crash who fled the scene.
On December 5, 2016, Wesley Chery and Brittany Beni died in a crash on U.S. 41 in Port Charlotte near the Promenades Plaza. At the time, Florida Highway Patrol said Chery was the driver and Beni was his passenger. On Saturday, troopers announced that they determined there was a third person, a man, who was the actual driver, who fled the scene the night of the crash.
"Not a day went by Wesley didn't have a smile on his face," his mother Mary Chery said.
Posters with photos of Chery are on the walls of her home and Chery's football helmet sits on the coffee table.
"Early on he was always following me everywhere," Chery's older sister Eva recalled. "'I want to tag along! I want to hang out, too. I want to play outside with you guys!'"
Eight months after Chery's death, his family said memories are what get them through each day.
Eva said when FHP first announced Chery was the driver in the December crash, she knew it couldn't be true.
"A friend took him to CJ's. When he left CJ's, a friend took him home. So it just didn't make sense that all the sudden he was the driver?" Eva said.
A 911 call was also evidence to investigators that a third person was involved in the crash.;
"There are two passengers. I think he killed them," the caller said. "He probably ran away from the car because it's smashed. This guy's going to get away with it."
Trish Routte with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers said since Saturday, they've been flooded with tips in this case. She said the man responsible will be arrested "without a doubt."
"They let Wesley take the fall for what he did. And his day is coming," Routte said.
"How can they rest in peace? Do the right thing so your friends, as I'm told, can rest in peace," Mary said,.
"We just won't stop until justice is finally served," Eva said.
Chery's family said they're glad Wesley's name has been cleared in this case, but they won't get full closure until the man responsible is arrested. If you have any information in this case, you are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. You will remain anonymous.
