Mother Of Hit-And-Run Victim To Driver: Turn Yourself In
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The mother of a 5-year-old girl who was killed in a hit-and-run crash in the North Lawndale neighborhood Monday night was calling for the driver to give himself up.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports Monet Robinson was remembered Tuesday night at a prayer vigil just a few feet from the spot where she was killed.
Exactly 24 hours after a hit-and-run driver took Monet's life, her mother found herself surrounded by family and friends. Together, they prayed for the little girl.
Although her tears Tuesday night seemed to consume her, earlier in the day she was grasping for happy memories of her daughter.
"I don't want to remember her the way I saw her, when I saw her lying on the ground," Sofia Lucio said. "I'm just trying to think of all the happy thoughts that I have with her.""
Chicago police were still searching for the man who was driving the green four-door Pontiac Grand Am GT that struck Monet as she was crossing the street. It was last seen speeding north on the 1500 block of South Millard Avenue, after hitting Monet shortly before 8 p.m. Monday.
Police released surveillance video images of the vehicle on Tuesday, and said the car is a 1999-2005 model Grand Am, with a rear spoiler, and possible damage on the front center or driver's side.
"If he had any type of hear at all, any type of remorse, I just want him to come forward," Lucio said of the driver. "This is my little girl he took away from me."
At Tuesday's prayer vigil, Rev. Darrin Brown said, "we're praying for the family and also, the person who did it. I mean, he might be in a terrible situation right now."
Lucio said she will be satisfied if the law punishes the driver accordingly.
"I can't wish death upon him, because that's not going to bring my baby back," Lucio said.
Although the action was coming too late to help Monet, Ald. Michael Chandler (24th) said Tuesday that speed bumps would soon be installed on the block where the girl was killed.
Chandler made the request for those speed bumps in January as part of his annual budget for infrastructure improvements in the ward. He also is personally offering a $1,000 reward leading to the arrest of the driver.
