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EXCLUSIVE: Widow pleads for justice in finding the driver who killed her husband

Posted at 7:10 PM, Mar 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-08 19:10:32-05

Tampa police know who owns the truck that killed 29-year-old Ruben Mcella but they don't know who was behind the wheel..

For Ruben's widow, Jennifer, and her children catching the driver is what's keeping her going.

"I cannot believe he's not here anymore," she said through tears. The 29-year-old could not even look up, grief consumed this mother of three.

Ruben was not only her husband and but soul mate. He was killed on Sunday night on his way home to his family.

"I just don't want to accept it that he's gone," she cried.

Pictures of the crash on Waters Avenue show the 29-year-old father didn't have a chance. His motorcycle is mangled and barely recognizable and the driver of the truck just running away.

"It makes me angry. I don't know how people out there they can just hit someone and they don't even help. They are just coward," said Jennifer.

Detective's know who owns the truck but who was behind the wheel is the bigger question.

None of the witnesses saw the driver. Police are turning to local businesses for surveillance video but the biggest hope in closing the case is the public's help.

"When someone hits a motorcyclist then runs that's really hard to get your brain around. We're looking for any type of help that we can find," said Steve Hegarty with Tampa Police.

And this widow is begging for someone to come forward.

"Please because I really need  that peace," said Jennifer.

Their children are only 10, 7 and 4.

"Put themselves in my position. He took away my life. My kids' life," she said.

Both Jennifer and Ruben worked to provide the kids a good home. Now Jennifer needs to try and be both for their sake. 

As the parent left behind she found the strength to speak and said one should never bear this pain.

"This could happen again to somebody else and it's not right," said Jennifer.

Ruben grew up in Panama and the family wants that to be his final resting place.

They are having a memorial at the crash site Wednesday and then heading to Miami to get passports

Loved ones set up a GoFundMe page. No one ever imagined the mother and kids would be left in this position.

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