'The city needs to do more.’ Family of slain EMT worker fights for better protections
Yadira Arroyo was run over with her own vehicle by Jose Gonzalez, who is now serving life in prison. This incident happened in 2017.
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The family of an EMT worker fatally struck by her own vehicle says they will never stop fighting for the better treatment of all EMTs.
Yadira Arroyo was run over with her own vehicle by Jose Gonzalez, who is now serving life in prison. This incident happened in 2017.
"I think these health care workers need to be protected. The city needs to do more," says Yadira's aunt, Ali Acevedo Hernandez.
Arroyo’s family is now turning pain into purpose and keeping her memory alive.
"I mean, it's been almost nine years, and not a day goes by that I don't think of her. And it still affects me," says Hernandez.
Just last week, four EMS workers were injured during a call to deal with an emotionally disturbed person. Hernandez says this type of violence against first responders is unacceptable.
"Every time that I hear news like this, it brings me back to that time. It seems like it's going to be a matter of time before we see another Yadira, and I would hate to see that happen," she says.
Hernandez says Arroyo's death could have been avoided if EMTs were paid better. She explains that her niece constantly had to work double shifts to provide for her family, and her last double shift was the night of her murder.
"If she was earning enough money to be able to sustain herself, she would have been home that day. And this would not have happened," she says.
Arroyo's family tells News 12 they will never stop fighting for justice in her honor.
