Tesla driver's aunt speaks out after deadly I-75 crash in Collier County

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — The family of the Tesla driver involved in a deadly crash on southbound I-75 near Pine Ridge Road Sunday morning is speaking out about what happened.

Bertensky Delouis, 20, was driving home with four friends when he crashed into an overturned box truck, killing three people. His aunt, Angie Henry, said Delouis is now recovering in the hospital but is traumatized by the crash.

"I want people to know that he's a good kid, never been in trouble," Henry said.

Henry said Delouis told her he never saw the overturned truck until it was too late.

"I asked my nephew when I went to see him in the hospital yesterday," Henry said. "He said he did not see the truck until it was too late, and he could not do anything at all."

Two teenage passengers inside the car with Delouis died in the crash. A 25-year-old man, Jonathan Garcias Arias, also died after stopping to help the truck driver.

Troopers called Arias a Good Samaritan. His sister told WINK News he served in the Marines and was funny, kind and always helped everyone around him.

"When I heard the message, before I found out my nephew was involved," Henry said. "My heart dropped, but yes, it shakes everybody."

Henry also said her nephew has been battling leukemia and was recently hospitalized before the crash. She described him as a respectful young man who is now recovering while grieving the loss of his friends.

"He's taking accountability for that, and thinking, I mean, he's blaming himself for that," Henry said. "So, please be kind, because it was an accident."

Florida Highway Patrol said they are working to piece together exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the crash. Henry said her nephew told her alcohol was not involved and that he was wide awake at the time of the crash. WINK News asked FHP to confirm this new information. FHP said the crash remains under investigation as they work to gather all the facts.