Two teens killed in car that crashed into Willamette River identified

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – After a vehicle drove into the Willamette River in downtown Portland, officials have identified two boys who died in the incident.  Authorities said Roberto C. Garcia-Chavez, 19, and Trent Badillo, 17, were both residents of Beavercreek in Clackamas County. The pair were located and identified following the crash, which took place Monday April 6 around 2 a.m." According to Portland police, Garcia-Chavez had been driving the white 1996 Toyota Corolla officers reported seeing drive the wrong way early Monday morning. When officers turned on their lights and tried to make a traffic stop, the car reportedly sped away onto SW Harvey Milk Street. Garcia-Chavez’s sister, Yanett, spoke exclusively to KOIN 6 News on Wednesday night, sharing the family’s heartbreak and a message they want everyone to hear. “He was our best friend for all of us in our own ways,” she said. Search operations involved the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, with divers taking turns descending into the cold and murky water. The lone survivor of the crash, 17-year-old DJ Buckner, was taken to the hospital. "These kids didn't deserve to lose their lives, no matter if it was a bad choice or whatever else was going on, this was a terrible ending," said Buckner's mother, Melissa. "It was a stupid mistake made by a bunch of teenage, teenage boys who were just trying to have fun together. And we need to stop focusing on who's to blame … and focus on the fact that we lost three of the closest people to us, and we're still grieving." A fourth passenger, 20, has yet to be located. Melissa says the four friends "were like brothers." "A lady that actually saw our boys down there riding scooters and having a blast, and they were laughing and having fun and just being kids, and on their way home, it turned into a tragedy," she said. Officials are currently making plans to remove the vehicle from the water. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.