Nearly two months after 15-year-old Koa Quintanilla was killed in a hit-and-run collision, his family and supporters held a peaceful protest outside Menifee City Hall on Wednesday, continuing their call for justice.
The Liberty High School student was killed Aug. 12 while riding an e-motorcycle on Briggs Road north of Garbani Road when he was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene.
Quintanilla’s aunt, Jessica Repollo, said the gathering was an opportunity to honor her nephew and encourage community support.
“We believe everybody deserves to make it home safe,” Repollo said. “We really hope we can create advocacy in the community and give our youth a voice.”
When asked whether the family had received any new information from police about the investigation, Repollo said, “As of now, nothing new.”
The family is also advocating for changes that could help prevent similar tragedies.
Through two petitions, Koa’s Way and Ride for Koa, Repollo is calling for safer walking and biking routes throughout Menifee and a designated youth e-bike park where young riders could gather and learn road safety skills, including defensive riding techniques.
“You can be doing everything right, and then it takes that one person doing something wrong,” she said. “To have a community, a place where our youth can gather and support each other and learn these things, it could save a life, and that would be a great legacy for Koa.”
Repollo said the family plans to continue gathering at City Hall and hopes to get the issue placed on a future City Council agenda.
“Right now, we’re just trying to get awareness and hope that the community will show up in his name as well,” she said.
