Family Of Hardworking Father Of 5 Speaks Out After He's Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver
SOUTH LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) -- The family of a hardworking father of five killed Wednesday by a hit-and-run driver is speaking out tonight and demanding justice.
Efrain Espinoza's family remains emotional and in disbelief.
His eldest daughter, Paulina Espinoza, says police caught the hit-and-run driver a few hours after the accident but it's not lessening the pain any. She thinks all hit-and-run drivers are cowards.
"I wish I could give him one last hug," she said, choking back tears.
The family spoke to CBS2/KCAL9's Rachel Kim about their loss.
Daughter Paulina, 18, could barely contain her grief. She often talked about how her dad worked to support his wife, her and her four younger siblings.
Efrain was killed early Wednesday morning as he was crossing the street to catch a bus at Sepulveda and Pico to get to his job. He was a gardener and he was a construction worker. He was the sole breadwinner. Espinoza was declared dead at the scene.
The family was unable to share information about the suspect because police told them the investigation is new and still active.
They do know the suspect -- a male who posted bond, will make his first court appearance in November. For now, the family doesn't know how police caught the suspect -- they're just grateful that they have.
Friends and family, meanwhile, have attended vigils in Espinoza's honor. If she could talk to the suspect, Paulina knows what she would say.
"You've just left a big hole in my heart," she says, "and my siblings' hearts and especially my mom's heart."
Paulina created a GoFundMe account to help out her family. Click here for more information.
