Introduction to the Incident
Marcela Herrera was described as a vibrant soul as family and friends gathered Saturday at the site in Pilsen where she was killed and her fiancé injured by a hit-and-run driver last week. Herrera, 22, had just finished her shift at the Tacos y Tamales Festival when she and her fiancé, Mauricio Leyva, were walking to dinner about 11:20 p.m. July 19. As they crossed the street at Ashland Avenue and Cullerton Street, the driver of a silver car struck them both and fled the scene, Chicago police and her family said.
The Accident
Herrera and Leyva, 21, were taken to Stroger Hospital, where Herrera died and Leyva was treated for serious injuries. A few dozen friends and family members wearing pink T-shirts with Herrera’s photo and the words, “Justice for Marcela” on them, prayed Saturday afternoon around a memorial.
Seeking Witnesses and Information
The group then split up and canvassed the neighborhood, passing out fliers to business owners and residents seeking information about the crash and the driver’s whereabouts. Diego Garcia, another longtime friend of Herrera, said he had walked the neighborhood Friday and learned that police hadn’t requested surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
Flowers and candles near the intersection where Marcela Herrera was struck and killed in Pilsen.
Fundraisers and Support
A fundraiser for Herrera has collected more than $33,000 as of Saturday evening, and another for Leyva had raised about $5,000. On Sunday, Cook County Crime Stoppers announced a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the driver.
Remembering Marcela Herrera
Marcela Herrera worked at Rainforest Learning Center pre-school in the South Loop and organized many events for kids, including ones last year about mental health and another for the Day of the Dead. She was used to being around younger kids and became passionate about helping youth in her community. Green Curtain Events, which organized the Tacos y Tamales Festival, is helping to fund a scholarship that Garcia and Ruiz suggested in honor of Herrera.
Conclusion
The incident has left the community in shock, and the family and friends of Marcela Herrera are seeking justice and demanding a better investigation from the authorities. The fundraisers and scholarship are a testament to the impact Marcela had on her community, and her legacy will live on through the lives she touched.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Marcela Herrera?
A: Marcela Herrera was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Pilsen, Chicago, on July 19.
Q: Who was with Marcela Herrera at the time of the accident?
A: Marcela’s fiancé, Mauricio Leyva, was with her at the time of the accident and was seriously injured.
Q: What is being done to find the driver?
A: The police are investigating, and a cash reward of up to $1,000 has been announced for information leading to the arrest of the driver.
Q: How can I support the family and friends of Marcela Herrera?
A: You can donate to the fundraisers set up for Marcela and Mauricio, or support the scholarship being established in Marcela’s honor.
