2 former Philadelphia Soul employees killed in separate car crashes

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Two former employees of the Philadelphia Soul arena football organization were killed in two accidents within days of each other.

Nelson Diaz, who worked as the team's mascot for community events from 2005 to 2008, was killed in a car accident on I-95 in Chester, Pa. late Thursday night.

Police say Diaz's vehicle crashed into a stopped tractor trailer. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of his loved ones. RIP Nelson, you will be sorely missed. Through your work as Soulman, you have touched the lives of many kids in the greater Philadelphia area!" a message on the Soul's Facebook page reads.

The Soul says a GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for Diaz's funeral arrangements and for the care of his surviving son.

A former Soulmate dancer, 27-year-old Britni Zarin, was killed Sunday afternoon in a crash in Franklin Township, N.J.

It happened around 3:30 p.m. on Weymouth Road and South Blue Bell Road.

Police say Zarin ran a stop sign and was struck by a Ford Explorer. The impact caused the car to flip over.

Zarin was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Explorer suffered neck and facial injuries and was taken to Vineland Medical Center for treatment.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Britni and her family. Britni was beautiful inside and out. She shined in the community representing the Soul, and as an incredible dancer on game days. Words cannot express our sorrow, she will be sorely missed," the Soul's Facebook message says.