FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)— Co-workers at Two Meatballs in the Kitchen are grieving after 18-year-old Fort Myers resident Ana Luiza died in a three-vehicle crash on Alligator Alley.
Luiza was one of two Fort Myers residents killed in the Broward County crash Saturday night. Troopers said the car carrying Luiza and a 29-year-old man hit a U-Haul parked on the shoulder before colliding with an SUV, and three other people were injured.
WINK News spoke with Sam Lengel, the general manager at Two Meatballs in the Kitchen, where Luiza started as a host and worked her way up to server. Lengel said she worked at the Naples and Fort Myers locations, and when the restaurant needed extra help, she wanted him to call her first.
Lengel said Luiza brought a strong work ethic and a positive attitude to every shift. “Ana was always positive. So I try to tell the servers, man. You know, we’re all grieving, but we have a job to do. She’s probably looking down on us. She wouldn’t want everybody to be sad,” Lengel said.
Lengel said he first learned about the crash from one of Luiza’s friends at the restaurant that night. He said several of Luiza’s close friends also worked at Two Meatballs, and some employees needed time off after her death.
He said Luiza made an impression on people throughout the restaurant. “She stole the room. She’s only 18, but she had a super good energy to her. You’ll see she has tons of friends. There’s a lot of support coming out for her family and stuff. So she’s got friends everywhere,” Lengel said.
Two Meatballs shared a tribute to Luiza on Facebook and posted her family’s fundraiser. Lengel said a few recent hires joined the team because of Luiza, and employees are trying to support each other while continuing to serve customers.
Lengel said Luiza also had plans to join the police force. He said co-workers are remembering the energy she brought to the restaurant and the future she was just beginning.