'How do you live with yourself': Families of Texas teens killed in hit-and-run ask driver to come forward

On Sunday, December 18, family and friends gathered near the busy intersection to mourn the death of two young lives. The roadside vigil brought dozens of people together in grief. “They ran over our children,” sobbed Janie Lara, Canedo’s mother. “They were just teenage boys; they didn’t get to live their lives.” She described Canedo as a quiet and compassionate teen, who aspired to be a basketball player. “He died by crossing the street,” said Johnny Perez, Canedo’s brother. “I ride that bus every day to get to school, and I am going to cross that [street] every day and think of that.”

Armanda Diaz, Solis’ mother, said her son was a “bright kid full of life.” “He aspired to join the military and be a teen counselor for mental health,” said Diaz. “He had the compassion to help others always. Everyone who knew and loved him will miss him and his contagious smile.” The devastated mother also lashed out at the driver who left the teens to die on road. “My son laid there, and he bleeds out of every part of his body,” cried Diaz. “From his eyes, nose, and ears. [To the driver] How do you live with yourself? Come forward! Take accountability for what you did. You took my life from me; you took the whole reason I am on this earth. I am a strong woman, but burying my child … I was never supposed to. My son was supposed to bury me. My son was supposed to graduate, get married, have kids. Jordan and James didn’t deserve that. Somebody knows something, come forward.”

Solis’ family has also set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help pay funeral expenses. “Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for each of you, and your support during this very difficult time. It means a lot to us and will not ever be forgotten,” the fundraising page reads.