INDIANAPOLIS — A 14-year-old boy killed in a hit-and-run crash was remembered Thursday by friends and family.
Wilberto "Willie" Rivera's loved ones were back in the area of the crash to honor him with a balloon release.
It's been almost a week since Rivera was killed. He was riding his bike along North Cumberland Road just before 10 p.m. on Oct. 10 when a car struck him just north of East 10th Street.
According to court documents, Rivera was riding his bike while a group of his friends were walking in the grass. The friends told officers that Rivera was hit by a black Chrysler.
Now, the scene of tragedy is being turned into a place of hope and healing.
A warm glow overlooked a crowd gathered there Thursday evening. Some smiled and laughed. Others were tearful and gave long hugs, remembering a life ended too soon.
It's something a parent or family member shouldn't have to go through. But despite the grief, they still find ways to keep their spirits high above the clouds — with Willie.
The outpouring of love Thursday reminded family they're not alone in their grief or their fight for justice.
An Indianapolis man has been charged for his alleged role in the crash.
Prosecutors charged Joshua Raine with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or catastrophic injury. The charge was filed seven days after the crash.
On Oct. 11, detectives learned Raine had gone to police headquarters to report a crash he was in on Cumberland Road. He reportedly told police he slowed down and looked in his rearview mirror after hitting something, but didn't see anything and saw another car behind him that also didn't stop, so he assumed he hit a deer.
Detectives said Raine was visibly upset during the interview and expressed remorse for the incident. Raine allegedly said he would have stopped if he knew he had hit Rivera.