Family of hit-and-run victim pushing for change

INDIANAPOLIS – The family of a teenage boy who was fatally struck by a car in Cumberland last week is seeking answers.

Police were called late Thursday night near North Cumberland and East 10th Street after receiving reports that a hit-and-run had occurred in the area.

The family of Wilberto Rivera said that these last few days have been some of the hardest yet, but knowing that he will forever be 14 is even harder.

On Monday evening, his family had to make the difficult decision to take Wilberto off of life support.

The halls were lined with people who he touched.

“When we did the honor walk for him, when he passed away, Riley said it was the biggest on a walk they’d ever had, and I could believe that, because if anybody could bring a crowd, it would be him,” said Wilberto’s aunt, Heather Harvell.

As of now, the City of Indianapolis has had 25 fatal hit-and-runs, the highest in recent years.

“Ironically, before this touched my family, I had mentioned to my sister, I was like, there’s a lot of hit-and-runs lately,” said Harvell. “She said the same thing, it’s like nonstop.”

IMPD said a person of interest has been identified and interviewed. However, no arrests have been made as of this article’s publication.

Police want to stress the importance of staying at the scene of a crash because those first few seconds after a crash could be life or death.

“Imagine that that victim is your family member, and what would you want someone to do for them?,” said Officer Tommy Thompson. “Those seconds count for their lives, and getting them to a hospital in a quick fashion is imperative.”

Law enforcement added that the case has been sent to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

They were able to pull data regarding two frequent charges with hit-and-runs.

Since 2022, Marion County has convicted 27 individuals for leaving the scene of an accident and 19 for failing to remain at the scene.

Wilberto’s aunt hopes the driver in his case will be held responsible.

“We have to do better, and I’m going to be a part of that to help do better, his family and all those people that showed up to the hospital,” said Harvell. “We want better, not just for him, for anybody else that has to go through this.”

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