10:48 AM EST on Monday, November 21, 2005

By LISA RANTALA / 6NEWS

6NEWS

Police said Hernandez hit Chang head on when he was driving the wrong way down I-485 Friday morning.

Mint Hill, N.C. - The family of a teen killed by an alleged drunk driver talked about their loss as they prepared for Monday's funeral.

"My family is just destroyed right now," said Amos Chang, brother of Min Soon Chang.

Min Soon, 18, was a freshman at UNC Charlotte. His family said he was pursuing a career that would have empowered him to help others like a career as a doctor or a lawyer.

"He always looked out for other people, and concerned for other people," said Elizabeth Cho, a friend.

Min Soon was a loving son taken away in a split second. He died in a car accident Friday morning when an alleged drunk driver, Jorge Hernandez, hit him head on while he was driving on Interstate 485. Police said Hernandez was driving the wrong way.

Amos Chang, Min Soon's brother, said Min Soon started his Thursday night in a typical way, visiting a friend. They grabbed something to eat and tried to catch a late movie. When they got to the theater too late, Min Soon decided to head home.

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That's when troopers said a drunk driver crossed his path, turning Min Soon's typical night into his last.

"It just made me mad. Even more when he (Hernandez) survived, after a crash like that," said Amos.

Troopers said Hernandez was driving 100 miles per hour the wrong way down I-485. They also said he was driving drunk.

However, Hernandez made it out alive after he hit Min Soon's car.

6NEWS

Min Soon Chang was a freshman at UNC Charlotte. His family said he was pursuing a career that would have empowered him to help others like a career as a doctor or a lawyer.

Officers said Hernandez also sideswiped another car, veered off the road and his SUV burst into flames.

Investigators are now trying to figure out how much Hernandez had to drink, and if he was in the country illegally.

Min Soon, who has always called Mint Hill home, will be missed by his friends.

"It's sad to lose one of those nice, young kids because he could have done so many things in the future of this world," said Cho.

Min Soon was majoring in business at UNC Charlotte.

Hernandez, a suspected illegal immigrant, is charged with DWI and more charges are expected. Representative Sue Myrick is asking Governor Easley and the legislature to stop issuing drivers licenses to illegal aliens.