AURORA, Colo. — Mother's Day 2020 was not a joyful one for Irish Martinez or her family.
She said her children were coming over to visit and to express their love. For that, she is grateful. But she said her heart is broken because her youngest son, Tony, was not there, and never will be again.
Anthony Martinez, 39, was struck and killed last Sunday by a hit and run driver in Adams County.
"When we heard what happened to him, it just killed me," Irish said. "It just killed me."
Mother's Day wish
The Aurora mom said that her fervent Mother's Day wish is that authorities track down the person responsible and bring him or her to justice.
"Whoever did this, they need to come forward, they need to because my heart is broken in two, broken completely," she said sobbing.
Irish said Anthony bonded strongly with her when he was a young child.
"Some people would say he was like a knight in shining armor, because he was always trying to help somebody or rescue them," she said.
She added that her son was a brilliant writer, and was very intelligent. She said he had most recently worked in construction.
Irish said Tony had lived at home with his parents, until recently, when he started hanging out with other friends on the street.
"I know there are plenty of times that he gave to people out on the street, just because he was there too and he knew what it was like," said Ted Martinez, Anthony's father.
The Aurora couple last saw their son the day before he was killed, when they gave him some money.
"I said, 'Are you OK, Tony?' He said, 'I'm good, Mom, and I love you, Mom. Don't worry,'" Irish said.
Struck in crosswalk
Investigators at the Colorado State Patrol said the victim was walking eastbound in a crosswalk at W. 60th Avenue and Federal Boulevard when he was struck by a southbound vehicle.
Investigators released a photo of the vehicle believed involved.
They describe it as a mid 2000s Nissan King Cab, with front end damage.
They said it might be missing part of its grill, the front Nissan emblem, and perhaps the front bumper.
GoFundMe account
A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the familywith expenses, and the pursuit of justice.
Anyone who witnessed the crash, or who has any information about what happened, is asked to contact the Colorado State Patrol at 303-239-4501. The case number is: 1D201293