Teen best friends killed in horrific crash after their vehicle split in half
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Two teenage best friends were killed in a violent car crash, splitting their vehicle in two, just minutes from their Victorville homes.
Sixteen-year-old Isabell DeLand and 17-year-old Maddalyn Dailey, who was driving, were pronounced dead at the scene Friday night after a three-car collision left their Acura TL split in half, killing them instantly, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The horrific wreck happened around 8:30 p.m. near Ridgecrest Road and Elmwood Drive in Victorville, the CHP said.
According to reports, a yellow Chevy Camaro and a black Dodge Charger were seen speeding northbound in a 55-mph zone on Ridgecrest Road — with the victims’ Acura on Elmwood Drive entering the intersection.
The driver of the Charger — now charged with manslaughter — remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities, while the other driver allegedly fled on foot, leaving behind a minor.
Authorities are searching for the man as the families of the two girls seek the public’s help in identifying him.
Relatives of the two best friends spoke to NBCLA, shedding light on what their final conversations with their daughters were like.
“She left,” Dustin Dailey said, recalling his daughter Maddalyn telling him she was dropping off her friend and would be back in time for dinner. “I heard the garage door close, and within a minute, I heard the impact and I automatically knew. It’s a death trap because there are no signals.”
The father, visibly emotional, said his daughter wanted to join the military after high school.
Megan DeLand, Isabell’s mother, said she was still in disbelief, especially because she had just received her daughter’s senior photos.
“Every day since it’s happened, it’s been a struggle to get through my day,” she said. “I haven’t been to work and haven’t left the house.”
A GoFundMe campaign for the girls’ families was launched and had raised more than $30,000.
“As our family navigates this devastating loss, we are also facing the unexpected financial burden of funeral and memorial expenses,” Maddalyn’s family wrote on the GoFundMe page. “We are asking for support to help ease some of that burden and allow our family to focus on grieving, honoring Maddalyn’s life, and coming together to celebrate the beautiful person she was.”
The girls had known each other since grade school and were both attending Sultana High School in Hesperia.
“Isabell was beautiful inside and out, sweet, funny, silly, smart, strong in her faith, and deeply loved by everyone fortunate enough to know her. She had big dreams, worked hard in school, loved her church, and brought so much joy to the people around her,” one of the family members said.
“No mother should ever have to bury her child,” Isabell’s family added.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the crash or the driver who fled the scene to contact 760-241-1186.