BRADENTON, Fla. — The parents of two Bradenton teenagers who were killed while exploring Peru are searching for a doctor who helped their sons right after their accident.
“Two young men with joy on their faces exploring a different country and a different culture,” said father Kevin Morris.
It’s one of the last photographs these Bradenton parents have of their sons.
“This was from a camera that we recovered at the accident scene,” said Morris.
RELATED: Friends and teachers remember Southeast High graduates killed in Peru crash
Southeast High School graduates Al Ales and Zack Morris were only in Peru a short time when they were involved in a deadly crash. A public transit bus driver hit and killed them on May 24 while they explored Cusco on a scooter.
“We have statements the bus driver was speeding and passing in a no-passing zone before the accident, but the only testimony from on board that bus right now is from that bus driver and his ticket-taker, who happens to be his own father,” said Morris.
He also added the bus may have carried as many as 12 passengers but Peruvian officials did not take their names or statements at the scene.
The teen's parents are pushing the U.S. Embassy in Lima for a comprehensive traffic investigation because they say the driver's account does not match up with crash evidence.
And back in Bradenton, they're on another mission.
RELATED: Manatee County teens killed in crash while exploring Peru days after graduating high school
"We were told that he offered comforting words and he tried to keep the boys still. We believe he spoke French and English fluently,” said Morris.
A Canadian or European doctor kneeling in a photo helped their sons at the crash scene. They believe the doctor may have been on vacation as well and are working to find him.
“It means a lot to us to simply thank him for showing that kindness to our boys and, if it were possible that they were able to say some words, we would love to know what they were,” said Zack’s father.
Zack Morris was headed to Yale on a Naval ROTC scholarship and planned to study economics and had plans of becoming a doctor.
Al Ales was to attend the University of Central Florida to study engineering.
“Both boys lived their lives to the fullest,” said Zack’s mom Laura Morris.
Ales and Morris were IB students at Southeast High School and were devoted to community service.
The families are asking anyone with information on the crash or doctor to email them at GoodSamaritanDr19@gmail.com.
A community scholarship fund is set-up to honor both Southeast High School graduates.
