Family Of Man Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver Raises Awareness About Safety
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GRAND PRAIRIE (CBS11) — A family is raising awareness after a suspected drunk driver was involved in a deadly crash Friday night.
Tony Cedillo was riding his motorcycle on East Arkansas Lane when police say 28-year-old Everett Matheney failed to yield the right of way while pulling out of a parking lot and crashing into Cedillo. Officers arrested Matheney for intoxication manslaughter.
"People need to stop and pay attention and understand that what they do has consequences to everything they do," Tony Cedillo's mother, Lucy Cedillo, said.
The victim was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. His mother hopes he'll be remembered for his big heart.
"Tony had the spirit in him that if you were down, when he was around, you weren't down any more. He brought the best part of you out," Lucy Cedillo said.
"He was one of those people that everybody put a smile on their face when they saw him. He was a great person," Tony's brother Rene Cedillo III added.
Tony Cedillo found an extended family among his fellow members at the Street Kings Motorcycle Club. Michelle Tucker said the 24-year-old was like the little brother many of them never had.
"It was actually an honor, and I always thought it was strange that he was the youngest member of this club, but he wanted to hang around us old people. He brought a lot of life to us," Tucker said.
Tony Cedillo was particularly close to his nieces and nephews and coached youth sports.
"I'll miss him every day, the rest of my life," Tony's father, Rene Cedillo Jr., said.
"There's an angel above now that's better looking upon everybody else, all his family, his friends, his riders, and that will help to know he's up there," Lucy Cedillo said.
The family is making funeral arrangements for Saturday. Loved ones say they hope the attention surrounding Tony Cedillo's death will serve as call to stop drunk driving.
If you'd like to help the family, you can make a donation here.
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