The Bridgeport Brazilian American community came together to show their love and support to the family of a mother and her two children who died in a car crash on Route 8 in Beacon Falls.

En Español: Madre Brasileña de Bridgeport y sus dos hijos mueren en un accidente de carro en la Ruta 8

https://connecticut.news12.com/en-espaol-madre-brasilea-de-bridgeport-y-sus-dos-hijos-mueren-en-un-accidente-de-carro-en-la-ruta-8

The crash happened on Saturday. The family was driving in the northbound lane near Exit 23 when their car got rear-ended by a Ford pickup truck, causing the vehicles to collide against the concrete barrier of the left lane. 

State police had initially reported that Riquelme Alves Brito, 3, and Laura Vitoria Alves Brito, 6, died due to their injuries. It was later reported that the 25-year-old mother, Andresa De Brito Alves, a front-seat passenger, had also died.

A GoFundMe campaign has been posted on social media and to Terra Brasilis on North Avenue, a popular Brazilian-American restaurant.

Brazilians in the community are saying this tragedy hits very close to home for all of them.

The owner of Terra Brasilis, Denia Maciel, said she’s heartbroken to hear three members of the community were killed in a tragic car accident. 

Maciel said she did not know the victims personally but donated to the GoFundMe as if they were her own family.

"It's hard to just think about it, the grandma without the daughter and the grandkids, it's hard," said Maciel.

She said the word spread quickly through Bridgeport's Brazilian-American community and everyone came together to help cover funeral expenses.

City Councilwoman Jeanette Herron, who represents the district where the family lived, said the tragedy is a grim reminder for everyone to be careful behind the wheel. 

"My heart goes out to this family, to lose three people in a few days. I can't even imagine," said Herron.

Anyone with information regarding this accident is asked to contact Trooper Daniel McCue at CSP Troop I at 203-393-4200 or Daniel.mccue@ct.gov.