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Family Burying 2 After A Crash And A Shooting

Lagunes family photo

Candelario Lagunes and his son were at a stoplight in Plant City Friday when a fugitive and detectives got into a shootout.

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By GEORGE WILKENS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2008

Updated: 12/08/2008 10:37 pm

PLANT CITY - Juan P. Sanchez Jr. was headed home, at the wheel of the car he loved, a recent gift from his parents, when struck from behind by another vehicle.

The 12:30 a.m. Sunday collision on U.S. 92 at Rogers Road killed the 18-year-old, injured his two passengers and the driver of the other car, reported the Florida Highway Patrol.

Monday, as Juan P. Sanchez Sr. made funeral arrangements for his namesake, his sister was doing the same for Sanchez's nephew, the victim of a shooting Thursday that precipitated a police chase through downtown Plant City the next morning.

"He was my only son," he said, describing Juan Jr. as outgoing and popular. "He made everybody laugh. He was always out and about" with his many friends.

That was the case early Sunday as the teen drove home from the home of a friend where the pay-per-view Oscar De La Hoya fight was shown.

Sylvia Sanchez wept as she recalled her son telling her he was driving to the friend's place to watch the televised bout.

In addition to watching boxing, their son enjoyed football, basketball and baseball, they said.

Juan had attended Durant High School but transferred to Plant City's Simmons Career Center, graduating in June. "He decided he wanted to be a barber," a trade practiced by several relatives, his mother said.

In preparation for the state licensing exam, he routinely offered haircuts at his parents' East Trapnell Road home. "He never wanted to take money from nobody," said his mother. Given the dour economy, many stopped in for free cuts, which bolstered Juan's expertise, his dad said.

Pleased with their son's newfound direction, his parents bought him his first car, a 2006 Ford Mustang, upon his completion of barber school. "He was so happy with his car. He'd take care of it like a baby," said his father.

He said he would stop and wash it before going to watch the fight, his dad said.

The Mustang was struck by a Toyota Celica that failed to heed a stop sign, authorities said. Driver Eric Layton of Plant City was critically injured.

One passenger in the Mustang, Ariel E. Laboy, 17, was critically injured, and the other, Samantha Wood, 18, was seriously injured. Both are from Plant City.

All the injured were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

The nephew of Juan Sanchez Sr., Michael James Longoria, 36, of Plant City, was one of two men shot Thursday afternoon. Authorities say Fransisco Rangel shot Longoria, who died of his wounds.

Juan Sanchez Sr. said Longoria was the youngest son of one his sisters.

Reporter Josh Poltilove contributed to this story. Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

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