Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Responds to Grieving Parents Plea for 3PM Press Conference

For Immediate Release

June 23, 2014

By: Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz

Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Responds to Grieving Parents Plea for 3PM Press Conference

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) is responding to a plea by the parents of the two young teens who drowned in the Bronx River last week to join them at a press conference to be held at the site of the drowning in Starlight Park on Monday, June 23, 2014 at 3:00 PM, the same time that the fatal accident occurred. The New York Hispanic Clergy Organization's Rev. Joel Bauza will also be joining the parents.

Senator Diaz stated: "I cannot imagine the pain and suffering that the families of these 13-year old cousins are facing, and my thoughts and prayers are with them all during this time of grief. I am respecting the wishes of the families to call for this press conference to hear from them first-hand, how we can assist them and hopefully prevent this type of tragedy from ever happening again."

On June 20th, 13-year-old Erickson Villa was pronounced dead shortly after being pulled from the water, and on June 22nd, his cousin who was swimming with him was taken off life support and died in the hospital. A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old drowned near the same area in 2010.

For further information, please contact Senator Rev. Diaz at (718) 991-3161.