A Halloween night bike ride turned deadly when an alleged drunk driver crashed into a group of about 30 cyclists in Montclair, killing two riders, including a 30-year-old single mother.
Robert Garcia Umanzor, 25, and Rumor Ortiz, 30, died after the suspected intoxicated driver struck the group as it traveled east on Kingsley Street near Tudor Avenue at about 10:39 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.
Authorities said one of the victims was dragged for more than a mile after the crash.
Ortiz’s death left her family devastated, prompting her brother to share an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“I honestly thought I would be the first of my siblings to make [it] to heaven. Rumor, I wish [I] had more time with you, sister, but God’s timing,” he wrote.
“I was trulely [sic] blessed to have a sister like you. Watch over me from heaven time to time…let me know you loved me; meet you in the next life,” he added.
Around 100 people gathered at the crash site Monday to honor the two cyclists. Friends and relatives remembered both victims as cherished members of their community.
“She was kindhearted. She was happy all the time. She brought extreme joy to the group,” Ani Fine, a friend of Ortiz, told KTLA.
Yoly Shively, Umanzor’s aunt, attended the vigil and remembered her nephew as a fun-loving, outgoing man who treasured his family and friends.
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“He just loved being around people. I know that, and he just loved our family. He was so sociable, I know, with all his friends… Just the way it happened is a tragedy and a message to just be careful, for sure, driving,” Shively told the news outlet.
“Let’s get these drinkers off the road,” Shively added.
Umanzor’s family has created a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his funeral expenses.
“Robert’s family is grieving and also dealing with family hardship at the same time,” the fundraiser said.
“With funeral arrangements happening soon, support is needed now to help ease some of the immediate financial burden during an incredibly painful time,” Umanzor’s family said in a statement.
Valentin Alberto Rodriguez, 38, was arrested early Sunday at his nearby Montclair home on suspicion of driving under the influence, felony hit-and-run and gross vehicular manslaughter, police said.
Rodriguez faces charges of driving under the influence causing injury or death, driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher causing injury or death, felony hit-and-run involving death or serious injury, and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
