Gabriel Cooper,Nasir Youk Obituary, Death; – As families and friends of three teenagers who lost their lives in a crash in Limerick grieve their passing, they are also seeking answers regarding the police chase that led to the accident.
The three individuals who perished this week have been named as Gabriel Cooper, Nasir Youk, and Siniyah Newsuan. All three were 17 years old, as confirmed by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Additionally, a 15-year-old boy sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital.
According to the district attorney, Limerick police responded to a report shortly after 9 p.m. on Tuesday concerning a possible theft at a Target store. The police attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be linked to the alleged theft. The driver lost control and crashed on Ridge Pike, located less than two miles from the Target.
Meejain Youk, the grandmother of Nasir, expressed that the situation should not have escalated to a pursuit. Detectives have not disclosed the speed at which the vehicles were traveling.
“If the police were following them, they had the license plate number. All they needed to do was let them go, or allow them to drive and then visit the residence where the vehicle was registered,” Youk stated. “Initially, they claimed something was stolen, then they said it was presumed, so we are uncertain. The police have not contacted our family; we have not even seen the body yet, so we are unaware of its condition. The police have not provided us with any information regarding what has transpired.”
Angela Andrews, the mother of Youk, mentioned that there has been a significant lack of communication from the outset, particularly when she was trying to locate her son on Tuesday. Andrews noted that she and Youk’s father have not yet received any updates from the detectives.
“The reason I discovered Nasir’s whereabouts was that I went to Siniyah’s home, and her family happened to be in contact with the coroner’s office. I requested, ‘Could you please inquire if they have my son? I have not located him yet.’ No one has reached out yet,” she remarked. “That is unacceptable. You all were aware they were minors, and you knew we were searching for them. I contacted every hospital I could think of. I called every hospital in the area.
I called every hospital in Philadelphia, because I knew there was trauma and they weren’t there.” Youk was a junior at Owen J. Roberts High School, according to his family. “He’s a good kid. You go to the school, talk to his teachers, he was funny. He kept people happy. He never was in an argument, or confrontation,” his grandmother said.
Newsuan was also a junior, said friend Rayelle Hill. She was among several dozens who attended a vigil and balloon release Friday in Spring City. The balloon release was attended by teachers and classmates and held hours before Owen J. Roberts High School’s graduation, where a moment of silence was held.
“I’ll never forget Siniyah’s great smile, her random rants about anything, our daily facetimes to check up on each other. Most of all, her YouTube videos,” Hill said. “Long live Nasir, Gabe, and Siniyah.” Cooper’s grandmother Beatrice ‘Pam’ Brown said he lived with her and recently transferred to Spring-Ford Area High School.
“It’s a shame how it all went down. The more and more I look at the video, no,” Brown said. “Gabe and his friends were very loved. I appreciate the balloons, everyone coming out to support him, but it’s still not going to bring him back.”
Newschain has reached out to the Limerick Police Department multiple times this week for comment on the case, as well as clarification on their pursuit policy. We have not heard back as of this writing. A spokesperson for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said Friday, fatal crash investigations could take weeks. An update would not be available Friday, according to the spokesperson.
