Park Center Student Killed in Crash Remembered as ‘Beautiful Soul’
A Brooklyn Park teen struck and killed Saturday by a vehicle is being remembered by family and friends as a “humble, beautiful soul.”
Martin Espino Martinez was riding his gas-powered scooter when he was struck by a vehicle turning from Unity Avenue onto Regent Avenue. Espino Martinez was meeting friends at a gas station, about a mile and a half from his home, when he was struck before 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 1.
His family said Espino Martinez was on the sidewalk and the turning vehicle was going too fast when he was struck. The crash sent the teen flying into the intersection, his family said.
“Always Smiling”
Espino Martinez was a junior at Park Center High School. His cousin said he had a dream of working on cars.
“He wanted to be a mechanic,” said Karina Espino Lira.
Espino Lira said her cousin always lifted people up.
“He was a very nice kid. He was always smiling. He always had a sense of humor. He couldn’t stay mad,” she said.
His friends at Park Center said he was very loyal and someone who was always there for them.
“He was very special,” said Brandon Vargas. “If you ever had any type of problem, if you felt sad, you needed to talk to somebody, he was always there.”
Espino Lira, speaking for Martin’s parents, said the shock of losing their only son is still setting in.
“For them it’s a little bit harder for both the parents and his two sisters because they all took care of him, protected him,” said Espino Lira. “He was their only boy, their prince charming for all of them.”
Martin’s parents hold up a photo of their son during an interview with CCX News.
Seeking Justice
The family and friends continue to seek answers. Brooklyn Park police in a previous news release said that the case is an ongoing investigation.
So far, police have not made an arrest nor sought charges.
“That’s the question they want answered, why did [the driver] get on the sidewalk? Why isn’t he getting any charges?” said Espino Lira.
CCX News reached out to Brooklyn Park police, but did not hear back before publication.
While family and friends await more answers, they want Martin’s memory to live on.
“He was the best human soul that anybody could ever imagine,” said Vargas. “We need justice.”
Memorial at Unity and Regent avenues where crash happened
Memorial Service
A visitation to honor Martin Espino Martinez is planned for Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 3 to 7 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Church in Brooklyn Center. A ceremony will follow the visitation.
Park Center Senior High School
