Jan 9, 2009 11:44 pm US/Eastern
Mom Points To Dangerous Bus Stop After Hit & Run
11-Year-Old Girl Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver
Suspect Vehicle: Light-Colored Pick-Up Truck With Tinted Windows
WEST KENDALL (CBS4) ―
Holding up a photograph of her niece and sobbing uncontrollably, the aunt of 11-year-old Ashley Nicole Valdes told
CBS4's Peter D'Oench her niece's killer must be caught.
"I brought her into this world with my sister," said Jenny Rosete. "She was my baby. She was an outgoing child, and whoever hit her struck her down like a dog and he didn't even stop."
Valdes was trying to cross busy S.W. 80th St. at 149th Ave. at 6:45 Thursday night when she was struck and killed by a hit and run driver who fled westbound. Miami-Dade Police have released a photo of the type of vehicle they are looking for: a light-colored, 4-door pickup truck with dark tinted windows.
"She was my daughter," said Adonay Rosete. "I was in the E.R. and I couldn't even help her." Rosete made an appearance at midday at a makeshift memorial for her daughter that was set up with her photo and flowers in the median of S.W. 80th St.
Rosete said the tragedy could have been averted. Her daughter was riding on a bus used for an after-school program. She said more than a month ago she had asked two representatives of that program at the Howard Doolin Middle School to make sure her daughter was dropped off on the north side of S.W. 80th St., instead of the south side so she would not have to cross four lanes of traffic to get to her side of the street.
"They told me that they would make sure that happened," said Rosete. "But it did not. They didn't take care of it. To all bus drivers I say, remember that these are people's kids." She said she was even told by the bus driver that changes would be made.
At the makeshift memorial Friday she shed tears repeating words her daughter would always tell her, "Mom, I love you, give me a hug."
A Miami-Dade Schools spokesman said he was not sure if the bus involved was a Miami-Dade school bus or a private one hired by the county. He said that because of the ongoing police investigation, he could not respond the family's concern.
Adonay Rosete, who is a single parent with another child, said she was not able to pay for her daughter's burial and was seeking help with the expenses.
She said even though her daughter is gone, she may be able to help save someone's life. Her daughter was an organ donor.
Adonay said she forgives the driver and urged the person to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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