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Mom has faith despite daughter's death
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Justin Caramanica
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Rocquell Love was pregnant and about to become a single mother when she made a symbolic decision.
Knowing she would need mental strength for the years ahead, she decided to give her daughter a name that reflected her needs: Faith.
"Because I knew it would take faith in God for me to raise her by myself," Love said.
For 12 years, Faith lived up to her name, brightening her family's days with bubbly enthusiasm for anything and everything in life, her mother said.
"You know how most kids hide in the bathroom, supposed to be getting ready for school, but they're playing video games and texting?" Love asked. "My child would literally go in there with a book. She would read three or four books at a time. She just loved knowing things and learning."
On Monday night, while trick-or-treating on Halloween with relatives, Faith was hit by a vehicle that authorities allege was being driven by a drunken man.
She died at University Medical Center shortly after arrival.
Justin Caramanica, 41, was arrested on a felony DUI charge in the crash, which happened about 8:20 p.m. at Sandstone Bluffs Drive and Wesley Lake Place in Summerlin.
Fifteen-year-old Aaron Francois was trick-or-treating with his brother when he saw the crash.
He said the vehicle, a 2009 Mazda RX-8, was going much faster than the 25 mph speed limit in the residential neighborhood when it struck the girl.
After Faith was hit, he heard a young boy scream, "That's my cousin, that's my cousin!"
Francois held the boy and told him to pray, he said.
Love said her sister called her about the crash within minutes. She rushed to the scene, but paramedics already had sped away.
By the time she got to UMC, Faith had died.
"She wasn't fighting. She was already gone," Love said.
Faith wasn't even supposed to be trick-or-treating in Summerlin. Love had made family plans with church friends on the other side of Las Vegas, but when Faith's 6-year-old brother got sick, she decided to stay home.
But Love didn't want Faith -- who dressed as a Native American princess, one of her favorite reading subjects -- to miss any of the fun. So she allowed Faith to go with her cousins, supervised by her aunt.
Love said her sister feels terrible about the crash, although Love doesn't blame her.
"She feels because she was with her, she should have been able to take care of her and protect her," Love said.
Faith was a seventh-grade honor student at Rogich Middle School who enjoyed math, reading and history, Love said. Faith loved reading about other cultures, especially Native Americans and the Japanese. Her favorite movie was "Memoirs of a Geisha," and she talked about traveling to the country someday.
"She just was a bright, happy girl," Love said, her voice cracking with emotion. "This is just so hard."
The crash marked the third auto-pedestrian fatality in recent days and the second possibly involving impaired drivers.
A 15-year-old Henderson boy, Lucas Ruiz-Brenes, died Sunday from injuries he received after being struck on Center Street near Dogwood Street in Henderson. The driver, 77-year-old Imre Dayka, was arrested on a felony DUI charge.
Amelia "Mia" Decker, 6, died three days after being struck in a crosswalk Oct. 21 in North Las Vegas. Her two friends were critically injured, including Alyssa Mowery, 5, who remains hospitalized.
The 78-year-old driver who struck the girls has not been identified or charged.
Although Love has lost Faith, she hasn't lost her faith in God. Her daughter was raised with strong Christian beliefs, and Love doesn't doubt she is in a better place.
"She had a large family and a large church family that loved her dearly," Love said. "She was always our angel."
Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.
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Poor faith was also with her friend Jade a 6th grader. She died in front of her. She'd been crying all day yesterday. My little sister Mallory told me this just moments ago. Every one at her school was asked to wear white and a ribbon that says LOVE FAITH and on Friday wear blue and wear a ribbon that says KEEP THE FAITH.
I BLAME METRO 101%!!!!! How many people must die before METRO do something?? No matter where you drive in Las Vegas you will see drivers speeding, cutting you off, tailgating Etc. EVEN the Cops Tailgate................ DON'T BLAME THE DRIVERS.. THEIR ARE ALL FOOLS...............
Chug-A-lug Chug-A-lug !!!! Drink up baby ! Good times for all....But dont you dare run a cigarette add or commercial, you will be crucified ! Lobby money talks morality walks !!! Eat it up America it all comes down to the cash....
Personally, I blame the lawyers who advertise how they help drunk drivers. They make it seem like drinking and driving is like jay walking. Nothing to be ashamed about. Nothing to be punished for. If DUI offenders were punished harder, there would be less deaths.
so very sorry for the loss of life of little Faith...drunk drivers
make me sick..I hope he is locked up a long time ..he
took the life of a precious child !!! there are no excuses !!
Well Said...Tahoe.DI ...@Frank.Pelteson you must have never been a kid ha! Trick or Treating is NOT Harassing if you have a pumpkin on your door or A pourch light on your welcoming the kids... So turn your lights off if you dont want to be asked for candy. BOO!
My Condolences too all 3 familys for there lose. God Lends us his children so that we as parents can watch over them Until the Day he calls for them to come home.. May You all find conformfort and peace in the memories that you shared with your Children. Your all in my thought and prayers.
Drunk Driving in Las Vegas is the worst.. Being that there is Casinos & Bars everywhere you turn, it also is available 24-7. Just sad that Innocent People walking to and from Home must pay the price and the Driver walks away only with a Hangover.. Sad :(
So sad for these three families who lost children to drunks. Condolences to all. There has to be more public awareness. Teaching our kids how to cross streets only when NO VEHICLE is coming at all. And to be aware of vehicles when entering the roadway. We punish the drivers who drive drunk, now we have to REALLY educate people about safety when entering the roadways as pedestrians. Kids get wild, they fool around, run around on Halloween, they're having fun and sometimes get caught up in not using best judgement when crossing roads. Where was the adult in this particular situation? Did NO ONE see the vehicle approaching? Unfortunately, even though this drunk is guilty of a felony, he'll be in and out of jail in 3 years, probably less for good behaviour. We need stiffer prison terms when drunks kill, too. Prayers to the family and to all those who have lost a loved one to a drunk driver.
Nationwide the percentage of drivers on the road at any time of the day or night having a measurable level of alcohol in their bloodstream is 10%. In Clark County that number is to 40%. I guess this is the end result of de facto governance of the state by the casino busiuness. I simply cannot imagine the grief and utter devastation that Rocquell Love is experiencing. The death of a child is tragic under any circumstances; the death of a child because a drunken fool made the choice to get in his car and run her down is unfathomable. Oh, and Frank, I suppose I could say that you're an excellent argument for retroactive abortion; but I shall not. I'm far too refined for comments of that ilk.
great post Tahoe ID... agree 100%. And, again,WHY isn't the 78 year old woman's name released? It is unlikely she was under the influence of alcohol, but, what was the level of prescription pain killers in her blood? What was the level of benzos? Why is she not charged with HER crime? It is illegal to race through a crosswalk occupied by pedestrians. Again, my deepest condolences to all the children and their families/friends who have been devestated by the careless drivers.