Married 67 Years, Woman Talks About Losing Her Husband In Suspected Hit-And-Run
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The wife of a 101-year-old man, who was killed in a suspected hit-and-run collision this week, spoke out Friday.
Lupe Noreiga described Joe Noriega, her husband of 67 years, as a wonderful husband who was very kind and quiet.
Noriega was struck early Wednesday morning by a van while crossing Lorena Street in a marked crosswalk.
"Nobody would do such a thing like that but he must have been going pretty fast," Lupe told CBS2's Dave Lopez of the suspected driver, whom authorities identified as 41-year-old Ricardo Avalos.
Noriega's body flew over 100-feet.
Following the crash, Avalos allegedly fled, but was pinned into a corner by two drivers who followed him, according to authorities. He was subsequently arrested.
"I think what bothers everybody is the way he was killed," said John Moretta, the pastor of a church Noriega attended, Resurrection Catholic Church.
"We could count on Joe. For example, the senior citizens. He was the guy that put out the chairs and the tables," Moretta said.
Noriega had four children, 19 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
"We knew in time we would be losing my father. But not like this," said Rebecca Madera, the victim's daughter. "My dad was healthy. He had his sound mind. He gave us advice."
Meanwhile, Avalos Friday pleaded not guilty to charges of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run.
He was expected to be back in court for a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 16.
RELATED STORIES:
Man Pleads Not Guilty To Hit-And-Run That Killed 101-Year-Old Man In Boyle Heights
101-Year-Old Man Fatally Struck In Boyle Heights Hit-And-Run
