LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas mother is calling on others to think twice about who they get in the car with after her 28-year-old son was killed in a crash near the Strip last month.
Mariana Rico said she still has questions about the moments leading up to the July 31 crash that killed her son, Roberto Angel Navarro Rico, at the intersection of South Highland and Edna.
A community gathers to remember Roberto
Friends and family have returned to the crash site, lighting candles, bringing flowers and painting a heart bearing Roberto’s name.
“He was just so humble and sweet, you know. He was a great big brother, a great son. He was close with his cousins. You know, he’s always smiled,” a family member said.
Rico said the loss has been compounded by the timing. “It hurts. He had just turned 28 on June 14th. We have the same birthday. He was also a twin brother,” she said.
What police say happened
According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, Roberto was riding in the back seat of a Nissan Altima along with another passenger when 22-year-old Jakari Miles, who was behind the wheel, crashed into the back of a semi truck parked along the curb on South Highland.
Miles and the other passenger survived. Roberto died at the scene.
Police said Miles showed signs of impairment and was arrested in connection with the deadly crash.
Mother’s message and community support
Rico said she wants her story to serve as a warning to others.
“So I just want to speak, you know, to don’t drink and drive. Don’t get with friends that are driving drunk. Get an Uber,” she said.
As the case moves through the courts, Rico said the Las Vegas Latino community has rallied around her family, including Abuelas Tacos, which helped organize a fundraiser for Roberto’s services.
“Abuelas Tacos has helped me start a page at GoFundMe. Trying to have the community come together,” Rico said.
Rico said she keeps returning to the crash site, where she noted investigators are still working to piece together what happened. “Where you see the lines. He was parked right here. So they’re still trying to investigate and see how everything happened,” she said.
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