Devastated family of East Village hit-and-run victim says hopes died with him
The hardworking son of Mexican immigrants killed in a Manhattan hit-and-run died with his biggest dream left unfulfilled: Buying his parents a home.
Andy Eduardo Gil, 21, was killed Thursday when a fugitive driver ran him down around 5 a.m. in the East Village before speeding away from the scene, police said.
His mother and father, who came to the city from Mexico more than 25 years ago, were left to mourn while awaiting an arrest in the deadly incident.
“My son said he was never going to leave my side until he bought me a house,” said mom Augustina Cano, her eyes tearing up. “I just wanted him to be happy but they cut his life short ... My son needs justice.”
Dad Eduardo Gil recalled his son working at a hotel while pursuing his aspirations of becoming a photographer and graphic designer, adding the young man was headed to a scheduled photo shoot when killed that morning.
“He was leaving one job to get to another,” said Gil. “He worked at the hotel by day and would work on his dreams when had time.”
Gil was found unconscious on the pavement near E. Houston and Forsyth Sts., with a preliminary NYPD investigation determining a westbound vehicle slammed into him as he crossed the street. He was later pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.
Police were tracking down surveillance video in the hunt for the driver, who took off.
The victim’s aunt Jenny Gil flew east from Inglewood, Calif., to support the devastated family while mourning the tragic death of her young nephew and his lost future.
“Every time we were together, he would tell me about his hopes and dreams,” she said. “He was always creative.”
Jenny Gil also recalled how close he was with his older brother Jesus and younger sibling Eduardo, all born and raised in New York. And Gil’s father said he’s unable to sleep at all in the days since his middle son’s death.
“As a family none of us have been able to process this,” he said. “We can’t eat, and as a father I literally have no words to describe what I am feeling. It’s been hard.”
His mother recalled how Andy was often the first one up in the morning, making coffee and breakfast for his parents and siblings. The family described him as an animal lover who was making plans to throw his pet dog Ino a birthday party this coming week.
Mom Augustina Cano, instead left to arrange a funeral for Andy, said the family’s priority was getting justice for her son.
“More than anything we want someone to come forward with information.” she said through tears. “Only a mother can understand the pain I’m feeling. I just lost my son, who was young, full of life. And a driver hit him and took away those dreams.”
