Riverside community coping with the loss of their church building [Video]

RIVERSIDE, Ala. (WBRC) – Neighbors in Riverside are trying to cope after their beloved church building burned down and two people died just days apart at the same location.

Last Thursday morning around 1:30 a.m., Riverside police got a call of a fire at the Riverside Baptist Church. Officials say a driver crashed into the building. When they arrived, the church was in flames and officers found 19-year-old Anthony Banks Jr.’s body in the car.

Just a few days later state troopers say Banks’ girlfriend crashed into one of the remaining brick walls at the church. The car catching fire at the same location where Banks Jr. was killed. Officers say 19-year-old Jennefer L. Arellano-Maldonado was trying to escape them when the accident happened.

“Yes, I know that she was distraught and, at this time, I can’t say if her doing that was intentional or accidental. If an officer tries to …