Student and alum killed alongside Jose Fernandez

Relatives of the FIU student and alum killed in last weekend’s boating accident created a GoFundMe page to pay for funeral expenses.

Emilio Jesus Macias, 27 and Eduardo Rivero, 25 were identified in the crash that also killed Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez on the morning of Sept. 25. The small powerboat hit a jetty that sent them flying into piles of rocks and into the ocean. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard found the bodies around 3 a.m.

Both Macias and Rivero were psychology majors. Both had recently befriended Fernandez according

Macias graduated in 2013. While at school, he was working at Wells Fargo as a personal banker, and would later be promoted as a registered client associate in downtown Miami.

“We’re deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague Emilio Macias. He was a great friend, who immediately won our hearts with his smile, personality and willingness to always help for the success of the team. Our hearts go out to Emilio’s family and friends during this very difficult time,” Wells Fargo said in a statement according to Miami New Times.

Ailin Macias, Emilio’s cousin, and Aileen Victoria, Rivero’s sister created a GoFundMe page to pay the expenses of the 27-year-old’s funeral.

“I am trying to raise money to cover the funeral expenses for Emilio Jesus Macias, an amazing son, brother, grandson, boyfriend, cousin, friend. Due to this unexpected tragedy, we reach out for help to assist our family with funeral expenses,”  said Ailin’s page.

With the goal set for $30,000, over 700 people have donated over $36,000, according to the page. A friend of Macias name Jesica Moreno commented on the page saying:

“We knew each other since the third grade. My mom and dad knew his mom. She always use to go to dance as Salas Lovers. I’m shocked by this. May he rest in peace.”

In Victoria’s page, over $35,000 has been donated from over 900 people. Here’s what Victoria stated on the page:

“A man full of life, full of love and full of happiness, was taken to soon with so much left to live for. “

Rivero worked as a sales representative at Carnival Cruise Lines. According to Victoria on the GoFundMe page, Rivero was attending graduate school for psychology and minoring business at FIU.

The viewing for Macias was Sept. 27 at Caballero Rivero Hialeah Funeral Home in Hialeah. The funeral for Rivero was held Wednesday at Bernardo Garcia Funeral Home. The next day the Rivero family buried him at Caballero River South Dade Memorial.