Colombian Migrant Killed in Los Angeles while Cycling to Work
José David Monsalve Rojas, a Colombian migrant who had moved to Los Angeles in search of better work opportunities, tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run incident. The 46-year-old father of five had been in the United States for nearly eight months when the incident occurred.
Monsalve’s niece, Valentina Pérez, shared that her uncle had come to the US with the goal of providing for his children and creating a better life for his family. He was described as a hardworking and loving man who had big dreams for his family’s future.
On the morning of April 24, Monsalve left home to go to work, riding his bicycle to the subway station as part of his daily commute. However, he never made it to work. His family became concerned when he did not show up, and they later discovered that he had been hit by a driver who was fleeing from the police.
The driver, identified as Germaine Smith, was wanted by authorities as a suspect in a robbery. In an attempt to evade the police, Smith was driving at high speed when he struck Monsalve, causing him to be ejected from his bicycle and hit another vehicle. Despite the crash, Smith continued driving and collided with numerous cars before finally being apprehended by the police.
Smith now faces charges of felony escape causing death, with bail set at over $300,000. Monsalve’s family is hoping for justice to be served and for Smith to be held accountable for his actions. They are currently raising funds through the GoFundMe platform to cover the costs of Monsalve’s funeral.
Monsalve’s family is devastated by the loss of their beloved family member, who had come to the US with hopes of a better future. They are now left mourning the loss of a kind and hardworking man whose life was cut short in a senseless tragedy.