The grieving girlfriend of one of five teenagers who were killed after their car plunged into a Florida pond has admitted she was supposed to be with them on the night of the fatal crash.
Jazlynn Rodriguez was dating Eric Cox who was among the five to die Sunday night, June 25, when the black Kia they were in veered off the road an into a pond in Fort Myers.
Jazlynn said she was supposed to hang out with the group, but was too tired to go out on Sunday night.
In a heart-breaking interview with NBC 2, she said: "I was supposed to be in that car... I was supposed to be in that car.
"Sometimes I wish that I did go with them."
Eric was in the car with Amanda Ferguson, Breanna Coleman, Jackson Eyre and Jesus Salinas.
Eric, Amanda, Breanna and Jackson worked together at local restaurant Texas Roadhouse.
Jesus was Breanna's boyfriend.
The five, aged between 18 and 19, were pulled from the pond and pronounced dead at the scene early on Monday, June 26.
Amanda's mum, Elizabeth, said: "Amanda was, is, Amanda is, just full of light and energy and happiness."
Speaking of her daughter's plans for the future, she went on to say: "She had dreams and she wanted to be a teacher, she had some amazing teachers and that's all she talked about.
"She was just a wonderful person and I don't know how we're going to keep going, we have to, but the world is definitely a sadder place without them all here."
Jazlynn said she knew something was wrong when her boyfriend, Eric, stopped replying to her texts.
"We had plans the next day to go to the pool and have a bonfire," she explained.
"I was like 'No I'll see you guys tomorrow, like I'll see you tomorrow like we're going to have fun tomorrow.
"He was such a gentleman, he made me realise I don't deserve to be treated any less.
"Last thing I said to him was 'I miss you and I'm excited to see you tomorrow'. He said 'I miss you too baby and I'm ready to see you, I'm ready to see you again'."
Jackson Eyre was a recent graduate of South Fort Myers High with plans to go to college.
In a statement on Facebook the school said: "It is with deep sadness we share with you that Jackson Eyre lost his life Sunday night in a single vehicle traffic accident.
"Jackson was a powerful member of the Wolfpack. He recently graduated with the class of 2023 and was enrolled at Fort Myers Technical College to become a professional welder.
"Words cannot express our sadness for the terrible loss of this wonderful young man."
A friend and co-worker of the four who worked at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant, Ibrahim Shaw, said: "They loved everyone around them.
"They love their friends, family, and I know now they're looking down on us hoping that we do better for them and keep pushing forward in life."
