Relatives and friends of a young man who died in a “hit and run” in Vega Baja demand justice during vigil

Dozens of people marched on Friday night in Vega Baja to demand justice for Lara Gonzalez Ortiz, who died last week in a hit and run incident.

The family and friends of the 21-year-old girl dressed in white and carried flowers, candles and balloons as they walked to the “Pa’ La Playa” business on the PR-686 highway in the Yeguada neighborhood, where the vehicle accident occurred.

“We are full of strength. Sad for the departure, but we are calm and confident“, he stated Johanna Ortizmother of Gonzalez Ortiz, who described her daughter as “a young woman of light.”

“Larita is with us,” he added.

Gonzalez Ortiz died in the early hours of Friday, September 8, when the Ford Mustang vehicle in which she was traveling as a passenger crashed into a pole and several cement benches located in front of the aforementioned business.

Police identified Melvin Camilo Mathews Medina on Tuesday as the suspect and alleged driver of the vehicle. According to the authorities, Mathews Medina was allegedly traveling at a speed “that did not allow him to maintain control and mastery of the steering wheel” and fled the scene on footreported The new day.

Gonzalez Ortiz died due to the injuries he suffered on impact, and another passenger was also injured.

Mathews Medina appeared on Monday to a summons, accompanied by his lawyer, at the Police headquarters in Manati and he availed himself of his right not to incriminate himself, which is why he did not cooperate in the investigation.

Ortiz stood out from the crowd because of his black shirt with images of his daughter. Those present, without planning it, formed a circle around her and waited for her turn to hug her before starting to march, accompanied by Municipal Police patrols.

Members of Gonzalez Ortiz’s family carried silver balloons that spelled the name “LARA,” which they released at the end of the march.

“We want to demand justice, that this does not remain like this, because no one leaves a human being stranded,” he expressed. Blanca Quintero Maldonado, family friendship. “We want to raise awareness so that young people think about things when they are behind the wheel, so that they have more judgment.”

Quintero Maldonado described Gonzalez Ortiz with the words “love” and “happiness.” “A beautiful girl, who gave love to everyone and smiles to everyone,” he said, holding back tears.

For Nattalya Gaetana friend of the family, the vigil seeks to make a call not to leave a person abandoned at a crime scene.

One of the banners behind which family and friends were walking read: “Let’s raise awareness on the roads…let’s be empathetic and responsible.”

“There is no room for grudges. Here, we want to show how dear, how loved Larita was,” said Gaetan.

“Larita,” he added, “will continue in the hearts of each of us. She is going to live forever.”