What to Know
- FHP officials say Angel Lopez traveled in the path of the trooper, who was going westbound when he struck Lopez, who died at the scene.
- Lopez’s father, Norberto, said the family has not received clarification from FHP about what happened.
The family of a Kendall teen who died after his bicycle was struck by a Florida Highway Patrol vehicle is asking for answers and an investigation into what took place.
Lawyers for Angel Lopez’s family met with the media Tuesday, saying they had not filed a lawsuit yet but want more witnesses to come forward to help explain what took place on Friday night near 10800 Killian Parkway.
FHP officials say Lopez traveled in the path of the trooper, who was going westbound when he struck Lopez, who died at the scene.
"We understand that Florida Highway Patrol is doing their own investigation, but from experience when the police investigate their own, we are going to do our own on our end to make sure that every 'i' is dotted and 't' is crossed and we are going to get to the bottom of everything that happened," said attorney Josiah Graham.
FHP said it will launch a "thorough, transparent and complete investigation as quickly as possible."
"The Florida Highway Patrol is absolutely heartbroken over the tragic loss of Angel Lopez. The Patrol understands the tremendous effect traffic crashes shave and my prayers are with everyone impacted," FHP Director Col. Gene Spaulding said.
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Lopez’s father, Roberto, said the family has not received clarification from FHP about what happened and says he doesn’t believe his son would have crossed the street without having the right of way.
Angel was a member of Killian High School’s JROTC unit and was planning on enlisting in the military after graduation, according to his father.
"I guess every parent wants their kid to be just like them, but from my experience with him, I wanted to be like him," said Lopez, himself a veteran. "He was always there for everybody. Even people he maybe didn’t get along with, maybe he had an argument with somebody but I guarantee later on they would be friends.”
