Vanessa Sanchez Lopez's family says she was just starting her adult life when she was killed. She had gotten married 6 months prior, and was a student at Reedley College.
Now, one year later, her family says they won't give up until they find the person or persons responsible for her death. "Name of the father, the son and the holy spirit, amen."
On the one-year anniversary of 19-year-old Vanessa Sanchez-Lopez's death, family and friends released balloons in her memory, something they say the Reedley teen would have enjoyed.
"The church lost a friend and a happy person. She always had a smile and big glasses on."
"We just miss her and I know we can't have her back, but we would like justice for what has happened to her."
Vanessa was killed while walking along Road 80 in Dinuba. She was heading home from a going away party for her husband, who, at the time, was being deployed to Iraq. That's when police say a vehicle hit the teen, and the driver took off.
Since then, no one has come forward.
"How do you just leave someone there to die?"
"Without her, nothing will ever be the same because my daughter is missing and I only have one daughter left."
On Sunday night, those who knew and loved Vanessa organized a service and gathering at her former church. There, they shared stories about the bubbly teen, and prayed that another year doesn't go by before someone turns them self in to police.
"She was loved so much by us and she was a human being and she deserves justice and this person can't keep going on thinking they can get away with it and go about their daily lives."
Investigators believe other drivers may have witnessed the crash. But, at this point, there are no solid leads in the case.
If you have any information, call Dinuba police.
