Cops Seek Answers in Fatal Hit and Run

Mom still grieving son lost in car crash

By HANK TESTER

Updated 9:21 AM EST, Thu, Nov 19, 2009

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As she looks across Southwest 40th Street, tears flow. It has been a year since her son, Ryan Severino died and a squad of Miami-Dade police are set to stop traffic just west of 132nd Avenue. The officers chat about the case as they hand printed flyers to motorists.

Ryan Severino died November 22nd, 2008, when the driver of what police believe is a silver Suzuki side swiped Ryan's car, sending it into a spin and right into a large palm tree. The officers shake their heads. Facts and clues are mighty scarce.

Grainy security camera tape caught images of the victim's car in its final seconds and in the aftermath three cars slowly work their way past the crash scene. No question they saw it all come down. They have information.

"They may have seen who caused this crash, how this crash occurred, have important information that I need," says a frustrated Detective George Wilhelm.

From evidence at the scene police have figured that the vehicle that struck Ryan's car was that silver Suzuki, either a sedan or SUV, that might have damage to the right side. That's all the investigator have to go on this coldest of cases.

It is a long shot, officers passed out the flyers with Ryan's picture on it, a description of the car involved, what investigators think happened and a plea for any information, any clue, no matter how small, to be communicated to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers (305-471-TIPS).

Ryan worked for a local telephone company, had quickly advanced through the ranks. He was a leader, said his mom, "and just 20 years old."

"A good Christian kid." his Aunt, Ana Pasonault, said.

"It could happen to anyone, please tell me what happened to my son," sobs Sandra Ariso. The hard-as-nails-cops are moved, and they talk about justice and closure. It is a side of police officers the public does not always see. They feel for the grieving mom, that's why a year after a tragic death they are going the extra mile to dig up the slightest clue that may crack the case.

As for those witnesses that just kept on driving, "they need to come forward and admit they saw the accident, said Detective Wilhelm. "They need to make it right for the family, at this point there is no justice in this case."