DULUTH, Ga. — What was supposed to be an ordinary evening of running errands turned into a devastating tragedy for a Georgia couple when their vehicle was struck by a Mercedes allegedly traveling at nearly twice the posted speed limit.
Symeon Izaguirre and his wife, Samantha, were driving along Satellite Boulevard in Duluth around 8 p.m. on June 20 when they attempted to make a left turn into a business plaza.
Samantha was about six months pregnant at the time. According to Gwinnett County police, another driver was traveling at a dangerously high speed when the two vehicles collided.
The crash left both members of the couple injured and ultimately resulted in the loss of their unborn son, whom they planned to name Zion.
Police Say Mercedes Reached 94 MPH
Authorities allege that Dorin Lupas, 33, was driving a Mercedes-Benz E-Class shortly before the collision.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Lupas had been stopped at a traffic light. When the light turned green, witnesses reportedly heard him rev his engine before accelerating rapidly.
Police said vehicle data showed that the acceleration pedal was depressed for approximately three seconds, during which the Mercedes reached a maximum speed of 94 mph.
The posted speed limit on the road was 45 mph. Gwinnett County police Officer Brock Marks said the Izaguirres were simply attempting to enter a business plaza when the crash occurred.
“That couple was just attempting to make a left turn into a business plaza off of Satellite Boulevard, just going about their day as any normal citizen would on the roadway,” Marks told.
The speed difference between the vehicles left the couple with little time to react.
Couple Describes Terrifying Moment of Impact
Symeon Izaguirre recalled the moment the Mercedes suddenly appeared as they were turning.
“Out of nowhere, when we were turning, a car just comes,” he told Atlanta News First.
He said his wife saw the approaching vehicle first.
“I remember my wife seeing it first and then her just saying, ‘Babe,’ and she braced herself and she put herself on me, and then we got hit pretty hard.”
The collision caused serious injuries to both Symeon and Samantha. Samantha suffered broken legs and arms, but the most devastating consequence was the loss of her unborn son.
Pregnant Woman Loses Unborn Son Zion
Doctors determined that Samantha had suffered a ruptured uterus in the crash and were unable to save her baby. The couple had been looking forward to becoming parents and had planned to name their son Zion.
Samantha said they had already begun experiencing the moments that made the pregnancy feel real.
“I was about six months, and we started to get a feel of their personality, and we were feeling kicks and everything, and it was really nice,” she said.
The loss has left the couple dealing with both physical injuries and profound grief. Symeon said the timing made the tragedy particularly difficult because their lives had appeared to be coming together.
“Everything was coming together for our kid,” he told the television station. “It seems like at the peak of everything, it kind of all fell apart.”
The couple married in August 2025, and Symeon had recently started a new job. They had been preparing for the arrival of their first child.
Mercedes Driver Faces Multiple Charges
Police arrested Lupas this week in connection with the crash. He is accused of first-degree feticide by vehicle, two counts of serious injury by vehicle, misdemeanor racing and reckless driving.
The allegations center on the claim that he was racing and traveling at an extreme speed immediately before the collision. The case remains pending, and the charges are allegations unless and until proven in court.
A GoFundMe campaign created for the couple has documented the injuries they suffered as well as the extensive damage to their vehicle. The family has also expressed appreciation for the support they have received.
“We are grateful for every prayer, message, and act of support during this difficult time,” the couple wrote.
Family Left Grieving After Baby’s Death
For Symeon and Samantha, the crash represents a heartbreaking loss that goes far beyond the wrecked vehicles and physical injuries.
They had been preparing for a new chapter as parents and had already begun feeling their son move before the crash abruptly changed their lives.
Samantha remains hospitalized as she continues recovering from her injuries. Meanwhile, Lupas’ next court date was not immediately listed.
As the legal case moves forward, the Georgia couple is left grieving the son they were preparing to welcome while recovering from injuries that resulted from a crash police say began with a driver accelerating to 94 mph in a 45-mph zone.
What do you think about the allegations in this case? Share your thoughts and send your support to the Georgia family in the comments.
