Dad Of 18-Year-Old Killed In Times Square Leaves Note At Memorial
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NEW YORK (CBSMiami/AP) — The father of a tourist killed when a driver slammed into a Times Square sidewalk left a note at a memorial for his daughter, thanking others for their support and saying that the loss is a hole in his heart that can never be filled.
Thomas Elsman on Saturday visited the site where 18-year-old Alyssa Elsman was killed.
His daughter had been visiting New York City with her mother and younger sister when she was killed Thursday. Authorities said Bronx resident Richard Rojas drove his car through Times Square and onto a sidewalk, striking helpless tourists for three blocks, before crashing into protective barriers. Twenty-two people, including Alyssa Elsman's younger sister, were injured.
At Rojas' court appearance last week, a prosecutor said Rojas told police that he wanted to "kill them all" and that police should have shot him. Police said Rojas also admitted smoking marijuana laced with PCP sometime before the crash. Officials were waiting for toxicology reports.
Thomas Elsman left his framed note at a concrete block that has become a makeshift memorial, covered with people's names and wishes including "Rest in Peace." Bouquets of flowers had been placed on top and on the sides, along with candles and stuffed animals. When he made his visit, onlookers hugged him and offered condolences.
In his note, he said, "This impromptu memorial dedicated to our daughter and seeing and talking to many of you has helped me cope with our loss."
He wrote: "I look at myself and will never understand how I could have ever made such an angel."
After saying that he loves her, he ended the note with a simple, "Dad."
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
