Colorado Family is Devastated When an 18-year-old is Killed in a Hit-and-run

Emiliano Malpica-Medina’s Colorado vigil featured celebratory music, which helped to soothe his friend’s and family’s pain.

Dozens gathered Wednesday night for the vigil near 58th Avenue and Holly Street in Commerce City, the same location where Emiliano and his family were hit by a car over the weekend. The 18-year-old died, and his mother, father, and brother were hospitalized. His mother underwent surgery on Wednesday night.

Despite their heavy hearts, Emiliano’s pals met to do what he had taught them: find happiness in life.

“It amazes me how much people loved my brother,” remarked Emiliano’s older sister, Karen.

The family was on their way to her home in Commerce City when they were struck by a car. The driver and passengers in that automobile hopped into another vehicle and fled the scene. The hit-and-run shook the neighborhood, and many expect to be stricken with sadness at Wednesday’s vigil. Instead, they were stunned by an announcement from the authorities: one of the people engaged in the hit had been arrested.

“The arrest they made,” Karen stated. “[It] brings calm, which I know my brother is experiencing.

Others, such as Emiliano’s dearest friend Lillyanna Santivanev, found it complex.

“I just hope they know in their hearts that it impacted the community,” she told CBS Colorado. “It’s not only mine or his family. There was a community that knew Emiliano.”

Amidst the anguish and pleas for justice, there was music — classical Mexican tunes — and a lot of dancing. It was one of the things people said about Emiliano that they will remember forever. Whether dancing to La Chona or singing karaoke, the 18-year-old lit up the room, according to his buddies. When they needed him the most, he’d be there to lift them up.

“He was just always there,” Lillyanna added. “He always knew how to make you smile and laugh.” If you were down, he could help you up. Even if you were content, he could make you a hundred times happier.”

“He loved just any Mexican old music like old people’s music,” Karen recalled. “He just loved it and that makes me happy.”

A lasting impression of love, joy, and freedom in speech. As the evening progressed in Commerce City, friends sang, danced, and occasionally sobbed. While one arrest has been made, friends and family hope that the other people involved in the crash will come forward. Karen told CBS Colorado that no family should have to go through such a catastrophe.

“I think people just need to slow down and think of others,” she told me. “It happened to my family but it could’ve been them.”

Following the accident, an online fundraising for the Malpica family has been established on GoFundMe.