A SAD END TO A LIFE AND A DREAM
Tragic immig kid, 14, wanted to see parents again
A 14-YEAR-OLD delivery boy who was fatally struck while pedaling across a Brooklyn street had come to the U.S. alone and dreamed of seeing his Guatemalan parents again, his devastated uncle told the Daily News on Sunday.
“He was new here. He only came a year ago,” Estuardo Vicente said. “But he wanted to help his parents. He sent them money whenever he could.”
Edwin Ajacalon was biking across 23rd St. when the driver of a gray 2017 BMW sedan flew southbound through a green light at Fifth Ave. in Sunset Park — hitting and killing the immigrant teenager about 5:45 p.m. Saturday, cops said.
Edwin was taken to New York Methodist Hospital, where he died.
Vicente said his nephew immigrated by himself a year ago in hopes of earning a bit of cash to send home to his parents, younger brother and two older sisters in San Jose Chacaya.
“He had a lot of dreams. He wanted to build a house for his parents. He wanted to buy a car,” he added, speaking softly. “He wanted to return and see them again.”
Mareo Chamil, 41, one of Edwin’s roommates, said the teen was feeling down lately because his temporary delivery job ended and he was having trouble finding another gig.
“He was a little sad about that, but otherwise a happy kid,” Chamil said, adding that it was possible Edwin was out looking for a job when he was hit by the BMW.
Edwin’s five roommates started scraping together cash to pitch in on funeral costs. “There are some other guys that want to help,” Chamil said. “Some of the guys here, but also just other people that knew him, want to help.”
Vicente said the family wants to bury the boy in his home country.
“Now I’m going to have to send his body home,” the uncle said, adding that he was seeking help from the Guatemalan Consulate. “I want him to be buried by his parents. I need help to do that.”
Cops said Sunday it was likely the 19-year-old driver of the BMW would face charges.
According to witness Rafeal Eustuiqio, 51, the panic-stricken motorist attempted to speed away from the tragic scene, but was stopped by an off-duty police officer who lived in the area and maneuvered his vehicle to block the BMW.
The driver and his front-seat passenger were at the scene when police arrived, but the three people who had been riding in back had sprinted off and were long gone.
“I don’t know what happened. They told me he was killed yesterday,” the victim’s uncle lamented. “He was a good kid, a hard worker. He worked on different odd jobs.
“It’s very sad. He had his whole life ahead of him.”