Tonight we hear from the family of a mother and her son who were struck and killed on the Evangeline Thruway last weekend.
The family is dealing with more than just the death of their loved ones.
It's been a difficult week for the family as they mourn the loss of two loved ones. Now they're left with grief and a financial burden.
"The funeral arrangements right now have been a little hectic. We were informed by the Lafayette Police Department that the driver [of the vehicle] did not have insurance; now we are faced with a very large funeral bill,” said the victim’s grandmother, Casie Escobedo.
Escobedo is getting ready to bury her 8-year-old grandson Diego and his mother Jasmun Ozenne.
They were struck and killed by a car while walking near the Evangeline Thruway Saturday night. Just steps away from their mother and brother were Misha and Tisha.
"They are emotional right now. It's sad for them," Escobedo explained. "Everyday it's crying and more crying and more crying. There's just no way console a child who witnessed something like that."
The driver, Preston Edward, is facing OWI and vehicular homicide charges.
“I pray honestly that God deals with you because you have done nothing but ruin these two little girls' lives,” said Escobedo.
Escobedo says forgiveness could come one day, but the family will never forget what happened.
"I can't speak for the rest of the family, but I could forgive him, but forget? We'll never be able to forget this. I pray that God deals with him in the way that he needs to deal with him and that he served his time and punishment for this horrific crime that didn't have to happen,” she added.
The family will have a balloon release Saturday where their loved ones were killed.
Anyone who would like to donate to the Ozenne family can do so through Melancon Funeral Home in Carencro. A fund has also been set up through Iberia Bank to help with funeral costs, or you can donate through this GoFundMe set up by the family.
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