Maywood police are still investigating the accident that claimed the lives of the two men and injured a baby. Initially, investigators said that the fatal crash may have been the result of road rage, but Sunday afternoon, they have released few details to confirm their suspicions.
Relatives say Elias Cruz, 50, and his younger brother Jose Mauras, 35, died Saturday evening when their Toyota began speeding and crossed over into the northbound lanes of 9th Avenue, colliding head-on with a Nissan carrying a man, woman and a baby. The Toyota became airborne and hit a black Pontiac traveling behind the Nissan.
"I just miss him. It wasn't his time," said Christopher Cruz, a son of one of the victims.
"My niece said the last thing he told her was, 'Be good,' and 'I love you very much,'" said Juana Cruz, a sister or one of the victims.
While the men in the Pontiac escaped injury, the baby remains hospitalized after taking a turn for the worse. Police say it's possible the deadly crash may have been sparked by a confrontation between the brothers and an unknown vehicle not involved in the accident.
On Sunday afternoon, family and friends of the men gathered at the place where they lost their lives to mourn.
"Words cannot express how we feel, to lose a dad and an uncle. He's in a better place now," said Angela Mauras, a daughter of one of the victims.
Jose Mauras leaves behind a wife and four children, and is being remembered as a man who to ride motorcycles. "His nickname was 'The joker.' We all loved him," said Gary Williams with the Ruff Ryders Motorcycle Club.
Mauras' older brother Elias Cruz was a caterer who everyone says was dedicated to his children. "He was the best father anyone could want. He's going to be missed," said Teresia Cruz, a daughter of one of the victims.
ABC7's repeated calls to the Maywood Police Chief to confirm if they are still looking at "road rage" as a cause in the accident went un-returned.
