ATLANTA — Family members said a man who was killed after a driver sped away from a traffic stop was just in town for a quick visit.
Two people were killed when an SUV crashed into an Uber ride-share car on Northside Drive early Thursday morning, killing the Uber driver and his front seat passenger. Three people who were riding in the back seat were taken to hospitals.
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The two men who were killed have been identified as 27-year-old Gemini Jackson and 29-year-old Guillermo Barrios.
Channel 2′s Elizabeth Rawlins talked to Jackson’s father Thursday as family and friends gathered to remember the young engineer.
According to Gemini Jackson Sr., his son and several of his colleagues were in town on business. Jackson Jr. grew up in Atlanta but was working as an engineer in Texas so the trip was both for work and for a visit home.
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“I was crushed, heartbroken,” Jackson Sr. said. “He was just a fun and spirited person. He was very generous, very kind. He got along with everybody.”
Jackson Sr. said his son flew in from Houston on Tuesday and was able to celebrate his mother’s birthday on the Oct. 18. He was set to fly out Sunday night.
Jackson Jr.’s friend, Jazmine Littlejohn, said she was never able to see himto say goodbye.
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“It’s hard on us,” Littlejohn said. “Like I said, it doesn’t feel real.”
Uber sent a statement about Barrios, saying, in part,
“We are heartbroken by the news of this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time, and we hope those injured recover swiftly.”
Police have not released the conditions or identities of the other victims.
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