As families prepare for Christmas, a local father of a 10-year-old wants his daughter to be remembered. His little girl died Wednesday at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, succumbing to injuries she received after being struck by an Orlando Utilities Commission truck.
Fransico Gonzalez, the grieving father of Marisol Gonzalez who was killed, pleaded that his daughter be remembered as a ‘hero’ and with ‘love’.
With prominent Orlando attorney Dan Newlin at his side, Gonzalez said at a press conference Friday, “She [Marisol] was a very beautiful little girl who loved the color pink, very family friendly and loved cats and dogs.”
“Marisol was very affectionate, close to her father and would pick flowers for him as they walked along,” added David Davila, an attorney at Dan Newlin & Partners.
Marisol and her sister Lidaris, 15, were walking home from Ventura Elementary School on Orlando’s east side, on December 2, a few blocks from their house when she was truck by the OUC truck. As a result of the accident, Marisol sustained a catastrophic brain injury and up until her passing was on life support.
Newlin said that in more ways than one, Marisol will not be forgotten and six lives have been saved as Mr. Gonzalez had taken the decision to donate her organs.
“Only moments ago, we received a phone call from Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children informing that, six lives have been saved across the country in cities both small and large by Marisol’s donation of her organs,” he said. “The decision made to donate her organs will not be forgotten.” He also said doctors allowed Marisol’s dad to cut a lock of her hair and to take both a palm print and foot print.
A Trust Fund has been established to assist the Gonzalez family and persons wishing to donate should log on to: GiveForward.com and search for (Marisol’s Miracle Fight).
Newlin pointed out that Mr. Gonzalez, the sole breadwinner for the family, works for minimum wage as a ramp agent at Delta Global Services and is in need of financial support. Â As well, there are additional expenses, as Marisol will be laid to rest in Puerto Rico, the country of her birth and where she grew up prior to coming the the United States in July, earlier this year.
Asked what is the status of the investigation into the accident that killed Marisol and the legal case, Newlin said, today’s press conference was about remembering the young child who tragically lost her life, as she walked home from school, after attending an English tutoring class.
“We are not here to talk about the pending legal matter, but we would just ask OUC to ponder on what happened,” said an emotional Newlin. “We hope that OUC would do the right thing to help this family. We don’t want to discuss the legal matter today. It’s really about Marisol and Marisol’s life.”
To date, neither driver involved in the two-collision crash which resulted in Marisol losing her life, has reached out to the Gonzalez family.
Newlin said, within the last 24 hours the investigation has turned into a homicide and Florida Highway Patrol could take from 60 -120 days to conclude their work. He also said that nationally known experts had been hired, at Mr. Gonzalez’ request, to examine the accident scene and to make an independent evaluation.
A candlelight Praise and Support Service will be held for Marisol on Saturday, December 14, at 6:00 p.m., at Iglesia Casa del Alfarero Porter House Church located at 7051 Pershing Avenue, Orlando, Fl 32822. Â The Gonzalez family is inviting anyone who attends to bring a candle and a stuffed animal to show their love and support for Marisol.
