RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA: A grief-stricken family is seeking justice following the death of a husband and father of seven who was struck and fatally injured on the 215 Freeway in Riverside. The hit-and-run occurred in the early hours of August 7, as reported by the California Highway Patrol.
The victim, identified as Gilberto Sotelo from Lake Elsinore, was on the shoulder of the southbound lane near the 91 Freeway, refilling his gas tank after running out of fuel, when a car struck him.
Who was Gilberto Sotelo?
Gilberto Sotelo, 38, was a family man, husband, and father to 7 children. Family members shared that the impact propelled Gilberto Sotelo about 30 feet away. He was on his way back from his sister's gravesite in the early morning hours of August 7.
His brother, Jesus Sotelo Jr, explained that the car he was driving had a malfunctioning fuel gauge, which contributed to the need for refueling. Tragically, the victim's wife and one of their children were in a separate truck at the scene and witnessed the harrowing collision.
"It didn't register that my brother was hit, she just realized that he wasn't there anymore," he said. As they awaited the arrival of emergency responders, a suspected homeless individual callously stole from Gilberto Sotelo's lifeless body.
"You try not to lose your faith in humanity but from the person that did this to the transient that decided to take advantage of a pretty bad situation to try to benefit themselves.. It's a pretty bad situation," said Sotelo Jr.
Sotelo Jr revealed that this individual absconded with his brother's cell phone and credit cards, brazenly attempting to use them shortly after the tragedy unfolded.
‘If there's any decency in you, turn yourself in’
The driver responsible for the collision fled the scene and remains at large. Investigative authorities recovered shattered fragments of a blue Honda SUV or truck at the location of the incident, providing vital clues to aid their ongoing efforts.
The victim's brother is making an impassioned plea to the driver responsible for the tragedy, urging them to step forward and take responsibility.
He implored, "If there's any decency in you, just turn yourself in because they're going to find you and if they find you it's going to be worse. It's going to be worse".
In the face of the heart-wrenching loss, the family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to gather funds for the funeral expenses.
