The life of Ángeles Rodríguez, a vendor of churros and ice cream, was snuffed out in seconds when the car she was traveling in was hit by an allegedly drunk driver, who was speeding and ran a red light.
The most surprising thing was that 12 hours later, the man, who had caused the unexpected tragedy, who had been detained by the police, was released after paying bail.
“It is not fair that they have let him go free, when all the evidence points to his responsibility. This action sends the message that you can kill anyone, and if you pay, you go free,” said Edgar Rodríguez, Ángeles’ eldest son.
“We want the full weight of justice to fall for the driver who took my mother’s life. He should never have gotten into a car in the state they were in. If they don’t put him in jail and give him a long sentence, after a while he’s going to do the same. In the end there is no punishment, or it is very light. Five years in prison and he returns to his family, while he has broken ours. We will never see our mother again.”
Ángeles was 55 years old when the violent death surprised her on Sunday, January 22, around 5 in the morning. She was driving to her second job at a nursing home in Lynwood, California, when she was struck by the side of the door she was driving into.
The fateful outcome occurred at the intersection of Imperial Highway and Main Street in south Los Angeles. Angeles died at the scene while the driver who caused the brutal crash got out of his injured car and ended up in the hospital; and although he was charged with drunk driving and reckless homicide, he was released the same day after posting bail.
However, if the results of the toxicology tests indicate that the cause of the tragic collision was more intoxicated than suspected, the charges could be changed to murder.
Edgar says the driver is between 45 and 50 years old.
Angeles was born in Puebla, Mexico. She immigrated to Los Angeles more than 25 years ago. She is survived by her husband, her three oldest children, one male and two female, and 4 grandchildren.
“My mom was extremely hard-working. She had been selling churros and ice cream for more than 15 years. She worked a long time in downtown Los Angeles. She lately was going to sell to schools, but she also worked at a nursing home company; and she had a third job cleaning.
Edgar describes his mother as a loving woman, very kind and an example for her children and grandchildren.
“Even though she worked very hard, 7 days a week, she was never tired, always cheerful and took time to be with us when we needed her.”
According to the message posted on the Ángeles Rodriguez GoFundMe account to raise funds for his funerals, the crash in which he lost his life was an unfortunate and unexpected tragedy.
“Ángeles was a loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister and daughter. She was always eager to help others, ”wrote the organizer of the collection.
They added that he always welcomed others with open arms; and they asked for donations and prayers for his eternal rest.
Friends and family not only set up a GoFundMe account but held a fair last weekend to sell food, cupcakes and drinks with the goal of raising $20,000 for funeral expenses.
“On behalf of the family, we really appreciate everyone’s help,” they posted on GoFundMe.
Edgar said that Ángeles, his mother was a healthy woman, with a life ahead of her that was taken from her by an irresponsible driver.
“My father is devastated. My mom and he had been together for more than half their lives, and we his children can’t believe it. We think that it is a dream, and that she is going to arrive at any moment at the house”.
If you want to make donations to support Ángeles’ funeral expenses, visit the page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/angeles-rodriguez?qid=748b28a2740f2a64bdb7a9483d371b7a