Family of hit and run victim hold 'Walk for Justice' in her honor
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — If you were driving westbound on Reno between Meridian and downtown OKC on Friday, you may have seen a group walking, holding a sign, and waiving flags. They were the family of a woman who was hit and killed by a car two years ago on a walk for justice.
"She was loving, caring, strong willed," said Santori French, the son of Latonya "Lisa" Dean.
The teary-eyed family was walking to city hall in Dean's honor on Friday. They were waiving flags to highlight missing and murdered indigenous peoples and holding a banner for Dean.
"'I was someone's daughter, mother, sister and cousins and auntie,'" said French, while reading the banner.
The family started at the scene where a truck hit and killed Dean while she was riding her bike on November 22, 2022.
"It broke me," said Paula Tsotaddle, Dean's sister. "I couldn't believe it."
Her family has never missed a court date. They told News 4 witnesses said the driver hesitated three times, but never got out and never called 911.
"Where's the humanity at in this situation," said French.
Dean's family said she was homeless, but was determined to spread the gospel while riding her bike.
It took time to identify her and call her family. Then, it was a waiting game.
"Your news station is the one who broke the news to us that they discovered the truck," said Shavonne Williams, Dean's cousin.
The driver, 38-year-old Daren Hibbard, was eventually found and arrested six months later. He was in and out of jail within 20 minutes.
Online court records show he's facing one count of leaving the scene of a fatality.
"Eventually lawyered up and then confessed to what he did," said Williams.
The next court date is set for December 18. Dean's family said the suspect is expected to take a plea.
"It's been a long process to make sure she still has rights. And being her only son I want to make sure that's done," said French.
"I feel like he deserves jail time. Not a slap on the wrist. Not a deferred sentence," said Williams.
While they await the outcome, they urge other families to fight for family members.
News 4 called the suspect's attorney to request a statement and ask a question about the case, but we were told they would not comment.