Family and friends said their last goodbyes to a Jacksonville mother and her 1-year-old son who were killed while on vacation in Tennessee in November.
Anna Rodriguez and Jonathan, who was only 1 year old, were hit by a suspected drunk driver while walking in a popular tourist area in Chattanooga. They died from their injuries at a hospital.
Rodriguez’s husband, who is also Jonathan’s father, was also hit. He is still in the hospital in critical condition.
A butterfly and teddy bears cradled by Royal Blue and white floral arrangements could be seen at the site inside Patterson Cremation and Funeral Service.
Rodriguez’s daughters, Neyesy Posso and Divisay Murillo, remember their mom as the life of the party. She was also about to become a grandmother to a baby girl.
She was 41 years old.
The following quotes from Rodriguez’s daughters were translated from Spanish.
“She was always so helpful, so hospitable, she would offer whatever she could, even if she did not have much to offer,” Rodriguez’s daughters said.
The daughters performed a traditional Colombian dance out of respect for their mother and baby brother, who left a lasting impression in his short life.
“He was just like his mom. He was always happy, a very smart kid. He wasn’t even two years old. He talked. He learned everything fast,” Rodriguez’s daughters said.
According to an arrest report, police believe the driver who hit them was drunk.
The suspected drunk driver in this case is Randy Vega from Tampa. He remains in a jail in Chattanooga.
He faces several charges including:
Two counts of vehicular homicideDUIReckless endangermentReckless driving
“She always wanted a boy. She did. And look. He was taken with her,” Blanca Pereyra, Rodriguez’s best friend said.
Mother and son — lives cut short — and a broken family left to heal the best it can.
“We just hope that the guy who did this pays for everything. We ask people to never drive drunk, or under the influence of anything. This should not happen to anybody or any family,” Rodriguez’s daughters said.
A GoFundMe was created to help with any financial costs in the family’s time of need.
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