Family, friends say Jacksonville singer killed in fiery crash

MORE: Five dead in fiery vehicle crash in Westside Jacksonville

Family and friends say one of five people killed in a fiery crash was a well-known singer in Jacksonville.

While state troopers work to officially identify the driver of a Jeep that caught fire on US 90 Friday night, friends told Action News Jax it was Felicia Nicole Matos.

“I’ve been listening to her music all morning,” said Matos’ friend Taryn Wharwood.

Wharwood hosts the weekly Cypher Open Mic night at De Real Ting Café in downtown Jacksonville, where Matos was a regular performer for the past decade.

“The first thing I thought about was the last time I saw her. And she said, you know, ‘I’ll see you later, love.’ And that’s all I kept thinking about,” said Wharwood.

Matos leaves behind two young children.

Florida Highway Patrol confirms Thaddeus Sutton, Evelyn Tyson, Christina Davis and 12-year-old Antonio Hardwick Jr. were killed in the four-car crash on US 90 near Otis Road.

A 9-year-old girl also had critical injuries.

“She just lit up a room, you know? And she laughed and she would make you laugh,” said Wharwood.

Instead of an open mic night at De Real Ting Café Thursday night, friends and family will host a benefit in Matos’ honor.

Cox Media Group