By Maybelline Somoza | Talon Staff
Tallahassee Community College lost one of its students in a tragic hit-and-run accident earlier this month. Anthony Mejias, 19, was traveling from Tallahassee to Fort Lauderdale to spend Easter weekend with his family. During a 15-minute layover in Orlando, Fox 13 news reported that Mejias lost his phone and identification making him unable to board his next bus.
According to a statement released by Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Kim Montes, Mejias was found at around 2:30 a.m. Friday, April 2, less than two miles away from the bus station and was transported by an Orange County Deputy to Orlando Medical Health Center where he later died from his injuries. It wasn’t until April 8 that Mejias’s mom, Vivian Blanco, identified him at the medical examiner’s office.
When Blanco noticed Anthony didn’t make it to their meeting point she grew anxious and soon reported him as a missing person. Blanco later drove to Orlando and began hanging up posters around the community while also uploading a video to Tik Tok pleading for help in finding her son.
“I need my son as quickly as possible,” said Blanco in the video. “I need to save him and rescue him, he needs to be home. He needs to be safe. He’s a good boy. He’s an awesome son.”
When news broke about Mejias’ death, many of his friends posted social media tributes.
“Anthony radically changed the lives around him for the better,” said Jeverett Reed, one of Mejias’ friends. “I’m so blessed and lucky I got to know him. He taught me so much about myself and the world, and he will never really leave any of us. I can’t quite put into words what I feel right now as I grieve, I can only express gratitude for the companion Anthony was, is, and always will be to me.”
Kent Mendez, Meijas’ friend, made it his mission to remain active on Twitter, providing updates. He also created a GoFundMe page to help raise money to help the family pay for the funeral expenses.
Many people donated and expressed their condolences on the GoFundMe page.
“I’ve known Anthony since 2017, and I am forever grateful for the friendship that we had,” wrote Diana Alvarez.“Though we were internet friends and never actually met in person, he managed to teach me about love, self-acceptance, and truth in a way that transcended physical distance. It breaks my heart that I never got to hug Anthony, or spend time with him in person. But at the same time, I am so thankful that I have so many little memories to look back on.”
“Good mornings won’t ever be the same without you,” wrote Tai Beasley. “I love you forever Ant.”
In a recent interview with WCTV reporter Jaclyn Harold, one of Meijas’ aunts, Rosie Blanco, said she believed the person responsible for killing her nephew might not have intended to do so and asked for the person to turn themselves in.
“You needed to stop and give him aid,” Blanco said. “He’s somebody’s son, somebody’s brother, he’s my nephew. He’s the most amazing cousin, so many cousins right now [are] in so much pain. Just to think if you would have stopped to give him aid, you don’t know, he might have made it.”
Meijas had just moved to Tallahassee in January to attend TCC, and he had a passion for arts.
TCC Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Sheri Rowland said in a recent statement, “TCC is deeply saddened to read of the passing of our student Anthony Mejias. We extend our sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
