Remembering girl, 4, killed while trick-or-treating 2 years ago
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As families gear up for Halloween, many in the community are remembering a four-year-old girl killed while trick or treating two years ago.
Catherine Rodriguez was the victim of a hit-and-run driver, and her tragic death is still having a significant effect on those who knew her, hoping it never happens to another child.
The crash happened on Halloween night in 2022, while Rodriguez and her mother were crossing in a lit crosswalk at the intersection of Valley Park Avenue and Westerville Road in northeast Columbus.
Neighbors like Steve Zeune are still reeling from her death.
"I had no words, it broke my heart,” Zeune said. “She was in my house. I complimented her on her sister, on their costumes."
Larry Rodgers saw the accident happen and has since been advocating for a stop light to be put in place at that intersection.
"There's no cause for this, the little girl shouldn't have lost her life," Rodgers said. "I was the first one on the scene. I stayed there and watched her take her last breath. There definitely needs to be a light here."
This time of year also weighs heavy on Rodriguez's former daycare instructor Kelley Spence, who keeps her coat hanging on the door as a way remember the child she helped care for.
"My heart still goes out to Catherine's mom," Spence said. "I always reach out to her around this time just to check on her and see how things are going. I mean, I'm in that same space that I was two years ago."
With Halloween only days away, there is an urge for everyone to be careful and remain safe, whether you’re trick-or-treating or driving Thursday night. They want people to know Rodriguez's story and who she was in life.
"Catherine was just, I've had her since she was a baby, so she was just, she was just a breath of fresh air,” Spence said. “Her smile was just so contagious."
Neighbors note they will be at that intersection on Halloween night to try and prevent any accidents from happening.