Family of hit and run victim speaks to 22News

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Ivy Ballester is mourning the death of her 19 year old daughter Ashley Ballester.

The woman who was struck and killed in a hit and run while crossing Sumner Avenue on Friday night with her 2 year old baby daughter in the stroller.

Baby Lilianny survived after Ashley pushed the stroller out of the way to protect her, but Ashley did not.

Neighbor, Jose Rodriguez, told 22News he was there when his son, Jackson Ruiz found the baby.

“I saw my son ran out he was the one who found the baby and she wasn't breathing so he turned her over and he was the one who got her breathing, said Jose Rodriguez.

Ballister told 22News hours before her death, Ashley had taken the bus to Holyoke Mall where she spent the day shopping for Baby Lianny's birthday.

“She is an amazing mother, friend, daughter and I miss her so much and I am so proud to be her mother,” said Ballestar.

Ashley's friends remember her as someone who always had a smile on her face and continued to better herself.

“She was a smart girl. She was going to school to become a nurse and she wanted to provide for her daughter and not depend on anything or anyone,” said Jessica Vasquez.

Xiomara Rodriguez, told 22News how she admired Ashley's strength, when she overcame being fed through a feeding tube from the age of 8 to 12 years old due to a disability.

“For her to have to go through surgery and be fed through tubes inserted in her and survive everything she's been through and then to have God give her a second chance, it’s not fair,” Rodriguez said.

Distraught family, friends and neighbors gathered next to a shrine where flowers and cards were placed in memory of Ashley.

Ballester told 22News her message for the person responsible for her daughter's death.

“That could be your son, your daughter, don't lie, just come forward and tell the truth, take responsibility for what did,” said Ballestar.

Ballester showed 22News a heart felt letter Ashley wrote to her baby Lilianny, describing all the love she had for her.

A letter she will never get to read, but a bitter sweet reminder of how much Ashley loved her daughter and the only comfort Ballester has in this tragedy.

“That my granddaughter looks just like my daughter Ashley,” said Ballester.