Mar 10, 2009 9:19 am US/Eastern
Mother Seeks Justice In Chinatown Van Tragedy
Wana Wu, Mother Of Slain 3-Year-Old Diego Martinez, Speaks About Incident For 1st Time
Supporters Demand Action After Horrific Accident Left 2 Children Dead And Another Dozen Injured
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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On Jan. 22 a food delivery van hopped the curb and struck 17 people in Chinatown, killing two children -- Hayley Eng and Diego Martinez, ages 4 and 3, respectively.
CBS
On January 22nd, two young lives came to a sudden end on a Chinatown street when a delivery van slammed into a group of children walking to a daycare center.
But the van's driver was never charged with any wrongdoing.
Friday night, for the first time anywhere, you heard from one victim's mother.
Now, in another CBS 2 Exclusive, you hear from the mother of the other victim, Diego Martinez.
Protestors made calls on the behalf of Hayley Ng and 3-year-old Diego Martinez. The crowd wanted the Manhattan District Attorney to charge the driver responsible for the accident that killed the two as they walked back to their daycare center after a field trip.
Two mothers now know what no one else will: May Cheung, Hayley's mom, and Wana Wu, Diego's mother – who has not granted an interview until now.
"I have my good days, and my bad days," Wu says. "There is nothing for me to look forward to – there's no purpose anymore, you know?"
With her lawyer, Beth Schlossman, at her side, Wu says that what keeps her going now is what Monday's rally was all about: getting the law to treat negligent drivers who kill as more than just "a tragic accident."
She hopes that stiffer penalties might mean that the next time, a driver might get the message.
"Maybe it would make them think twice, before leaving a running car," Wu says.
But now, always on her mind, are Diego – and Hayley.
"He would turn around, hold my hand, and say, 'Mommy, one second. I have to say goodbye to Hayley!'" Wu says.
And now, that bond has been forged between the two grieving mothers.
"I guess [I] find comfort in knowing that the other knows what I feel, or vice-versa," Wu says. I don't know if it's fate, or – I don't know.
"I was told they were still holding hands, Diego and Hayley," Wu says. "So, I don't know. I don't know what it is. Maybe it is fate."
Their children were united, and now the mothers are united as well – to get tough on negligent drivers.
Diego's mother and Hayley's mother now talk every other day.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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