Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Projects won’t disturb shrine to crash victims
A roadside memorial for five teens killed in a 1996 West Boca crash has lasted for 22 years, but the victims’ families worried it would vanish.
State Rep. Emily Slosberg survived the wreck, but lost her 14-year-old twin sister, Dori Slosberg, in the crash. Susan Walker’s 13-year-old daughter, Margaux Schehr, also died.
Emily Slosberg joined Walker to meet state transit officials, wanting to know if a sidewalk project and canal cleaning would have any impact on the memorial. The shrine, with four crosses and a Jewish star, is on prominent display on the south side of West Palmetto Park Road, just beyond Florida’s Turnpike overpass.
“I saw the stakes in the ground, and I was nervous,” Slosberg said. “I was already getting people texting me. It’s hard to miss.”
Officials assured the families the memorial would stay intact. Slosberg grew tearful at the news. On Friday, the state installed concrete barriers to ensure workers don’t disturb the
site, but still allow access for flowers and visits.
“I told them this would not be touched,” said Khosrow Gandjei, with the state Department of Transportation.
The Lake Worth Drainage District, which owns the right-of-way where the memorial sits, also said it won’t touch it.
In addition to Margaux Schehr and Dori Slosberg, those who died were their friends, Crystal Cordes, 14; Carolina Gil-Gallego, 14; and Ryan Rashidian, 15.
“Every Feb. 23, we gather at the memorial to remember and pay our respect to Dori, Crystal, Carolina, Margaux and Ryan,” Emily Slosberg said. “For me personally, there has been one place that I visit to celebrate a victory, mourn a loss, or when I simply miss my twin sister.”