MIRAMAR, Fla. – It was just over a week ago that a fatal wrong-way crash claimed the life of a 23-year old man.
On Saturday, the father of Exekiel ‘Zeke’ Uruttia said he wants his son to be remembered as a hero.
“I want that lasting legacy of him to be one of honor, respect and integrity,” said Frank Uruttia.
Family, friends and coworkers gathered at a Kendall funeral home Saturday evening to bid a final farewell to Zeke.
It was on Jan. 9 that authorities said Uruttia was said to driving this blue Honda Civic on the Florida Turnpike, heading to the Hard Rock Casino, when he was hit by a wrong way driver near Red Road.
“We’re holding up as best as we can given the situation,” said Frank Uruttia. “It’s not easy and we’re trying to do the best we can and celebrate his memory.”
The memory of a heroic son, a trained paramedic who was aspiring to be a Miami-Dade firefighter.
A young man who lived by a quote from late journalist Steven Sotloff: “Everyone has two lives, the second one begins when you realize you have only one.”
As for the wrong way driver, a 55-year old woman from Hialeah survived the crash.
The investigation remains open.