'It's just destroyed this whole family': Family grieves loved one after deadly crash
One Omaha man's loved ones remember him as a true family man. Now, they want justice against the driver charged in his death.
One Omaha man's loved ones remember him as a true family man. Now, they want justice against the driver charged in his death.
One Omaha man's loved ones remember him as a true family man. Now, they want justice against the driver charged in his death.
One Omaha man's loved ones remember him as a true family man. Now, they want justice against the driver charged in his death.
Omaha police say a woman from Missouri was drunk when she turned in front of him. He died after the collision at 26th and 'L' Saturday morning.
Gary Mangiameli's family says he'd always be the first on social media to offer support when another motorcyclist was injured.
Now they're grateful for the overwhelming response they're getting on sites like Facebook.
But they still can't believe any of this is happening.
They say he had a heart of gold and a personality larger than life. So, Gary Mangiameli's family says the room now feels empty without him.
"I miss him. I want him back. It's just destroyed this whole family," said Gary's sister, Tracy Mangiameli.
Family was his life, according to Mangiameli's older sister Tracy.
She says he has seven kids, and two grandchildren, and a fiancée.
"I have a 5-year-old daughter with him, and he won't get to see her start kindergarten or be there for any life events. Or any of his other children," said fianceé Scottie Tuggle.
Mangiameli died early Saturday morning. Omaha police said Lorena Lara-Diaz was drunk when she turned in front of him at 26th and L.
The Missouri woman could get up to 20 years in prison and that's what Mangiameli's family wants.
"I hope she gets 15 to 20 years in jail. She took our life away. He was our life," said Gary's mother, Rene Mangiameli.
And as the weather gets warmer, his children plead with those watching, to watch out for riders on two wheels.
"Our dad, he was one of a kind. And we got that taken away from us. So please be careful," said Gary's daughter Lexi Diaz-Mangiameli.
They don't want anyone else to go through what they're going through right now.
"I don't know how to go on without him," said Tracy.
Mangiameli was wearing an NDOT-approved helmet at the time of the crash.
There is a GoFundMe to support Mangiameli's seven kids and grandchildren. You can find that here.