Construction worker killed by teen driver remembered

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The driver of the minivan that killed northwest Indiana construction worker Jose Tafoya this weekend is still in a hospital bed, charged with DUI and reckless homicide.

The crash happened Saturday at a construction site near 49th and Western in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood.

Tafoya was part of a construction crew that was repaving Western Avenue. Just last week, Tafoya told his family that he was concerned about his safety because of all the speeding cars and trucks on Western.

Ana Tafoya is Jose Tafoya's youngest child and his only daughter. The 58-year-old father of four was killed while working a construction job on Western Avenue. Tafoya was behind a paving machine when the driver of a white minivan blew through a barricade and crashed into Tafoya and the machine.

"In my head, I kept picturing it. I don't wish this upon anyone, just horrible," Ana Tafoya said.

Nineteen-year-old Erick Lopez was behind the wheel. Facing several charges, the teenager is being held without bail. Prosecutors say Lopez's blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. Despite that, the Tafoya family is forgiving and Ana says they are praying for Lopez's family.

"Not only did we lose our dad, they lost a son, a brother, they lost someone too," she said. "His life is going to be completely changed after this."

Ana Tafoya is grateful her dad had 58 great years. Born in Mexico, Jose Tafoya raised his children in the Chicago area while working for the same construction company for over 25 years. Known for his smile and sense of humor, Ana says her dad never worried about safety on the job until last week. Two days before he was killed, Tafoya told his son-in-law that he was worried about the traffic on Western Avenue.

"It's heartbreaking because I heard it out of his mouth," Heber Sanchez said.

Sanchez says his father-in-law was his role model.

"I looked up to him in every single way," he said. "I actually saw myself in the future with my son, the three of us fishing."

"The good thing is he didn't suffer, because I was told he died instantly," Ana Tafoya said.

For closure purposes, Ana Tafoya came to the construction site early Monday morning to see it herself. She said she will always remember her dad for his work ethic and family values. He is also survived by his wife and three sons. He will be buried in Mexico.