Tributes are pouring in for two young brothers, tragically killed after a single vehicle car crash on the weekend.
Shane and Jess Moses, age 19 and 16, died instantly in the early hours of Saturday after the car they were traveling in spun off the road near Steveston Highway and No. 4 Road and hit a tree.
The 20-year-old driver of the BMW, who police have not named, was released from hospital later the same day after being treated for minor injuries. Police suspect alcohol and speed as factors in the crash.
Flowers and a photo of the brothers on a recent vacation serve as a makeshift memorial at the side of the road where the tragedy occurred.
The boys mother and stepfather were on a cruise at the time and were expected to fly back into Vancouver on Sunday night.
On Monday morning, the grief was etched on the faces of many students at the Moses brothers school, McNair secondary, and scores of them wore black as a mark of respect for the popular boys.
Margaret Scarr, school principal, told how the brothers Shane has just graduated and Jess was in Grade 11 were very friendly, always smiling and they had a large group of friends.
Certainly, I knew them and spoke to them in the hallways. This is a devastating loss for the family and for the community here, its extremely sad.
Were all very upset and were doing what we can to support the students.
Scarr said the school has counseling staff on hand for anyone who needs it.
Its unthinkable for the family really and our thoughts are with them, she added.
Meanwhile, a memorial page on Facebook has been flooded with tributes to the Moses brothers.
Wow, I can't believe this. It still feels like a dream. I have great memories of you two guys, wrote Richard Kostyniuk.
Going to The Shady Shores Resort on the Island, City of Richmond's Children's Christmas Parties, and how comical you guys were. The World is going to miss you two. Our deepest sympathy, and prayers for your family. Rick, Darcy, Nikki, and Renate.
Another poster, Armanee Lorine Noyola, said, Jess Moses; outta all the people that God could have taken outta this earth, he took you & shane. You two are his angels, and he only wanted them back.
Friends of the brothers gathered Sunday under a giant chestnut tree next to the crash site to comfort each other.
"Shane was the biggest joker," Samantha Holmes-Mcluskie, 17, told The Province newspaper.
Shane and Jess were popular kids, she said, goofballs who regularly welcomed friends at their family home and whose friends treated them like family.
They loved movies and cars. "I think we watched every single movie on Netflix," said Samantha of Shane.
"They were the Moses brothers. Everyone knew who they were."
Lisa Gamblen, 17, said there's a les-son she hopes her friends take from this tragedy.
"Never drink and drive. Never get in a car with anybody who has been drinking."
With a file from the Province
