A new van and a scholarship honor Ezekiel Urrutia, a Florida International University alumnus who aspired to become a firefighter.
MIAMI, FL - October 27, 2026
Miami-Dade College has given out a second scholarship in the name of Ezekiel Urrutia, 23. According to WSVN, he died in a wrong-way crash on the Turnpike Extension in Miramar on Jan. 9, 2025, and his family attended the award ceremony.
Key Facts
- Date: Jan. 9, 2025 (crash)
- Location: Turnpike Extension in Miramar, Broward County, Florida
- Type of crash: Wrong-way crash, reported as a drunk driving crash
- Vehicles involved: Car
- Injuries / fatalities: One fatality
- Reported by: WSVN
Crash Overview
WSVN reports that Ezekiel Urrutia died in a wrong-way crash in Miramar, on the Turnpike Extension, on Jan. 9, 2025. The publisher describes the crash as a drunk driving crash.
After his death, Miami-Dade College worked with his family and community members to create the Zeke Urrutia Firefighter Scholarship, which supports aspiring firefighters. WSVN reports that the family attended an award ceremony where the second recipient, Bryan Monzon, was named. The first recipient received the award on Sept. 11, 2025.
At the same event, officials unveiled a van in Ezekiel's honor. WSVN reports that the van will be used to raise awareness about impaired driving.
WSVN also reports that the other driver, Sunshine Perez, received a 20-year sentence after entering a guilty plea in July.
People Involved
- Ezekiel Urrutia, 23, died in the crash. He had graduated from Florida International University, worked as a paramedic at a private ambulance service, and wanted to become a firefighter.
- Sunshine Perez, 45, the other driver, received a 20-year sentence after entering a guilty plea in July, according to WSVN.
- Tiffany and Frank Urrutia, Ezekiel's mother and father, helped create the scholarship and spoke about wanting to support others pursuing firefighting careers.
- Bryan Monzon, the latest scholarship recipient, said the award will allow him to focus on his studies.