Very Sad News

From the Miami Herald:

Miami Heat Dancer killed in motorcycle-Mercedes crash

A Miami Heat dancer on a motorcycle was killed Friday night in a collision with a Mercedes in Fort Lauderdale and police on Saturday were appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Nancy G. Lopez-Ruiz, 22, of Plantation was riding her 2003 Suzuki GSX R in the westbound right hand lane of the 700 block of East Sunrise Boulevard when the 9:30 p.m. crash occurred.

Mario Careaga of Fort Lauderdale had been driving his 2009 Mercedes behind Lopez-Ruiz on the boulevard. At one point, the Mercedes hit the median at the lane split and curve of North Federal Highway, then struck the motorcycle, knocking the young woman off her bike. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

Police opened a drunk driving investigation of Careaga, whose age was not known. Sgt. Frank Sousa, the Fort Lauderdale police public information officer, said it would be months before the investigation was concluded.

The Plantation woman had just been signed on to dance with The Miami Heat this season, which opens its preseason schedule on Oct. 5 with the debut of Dream Team trio LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Eric Woolworth, president of business operations for the Heat, called Lopez-Ruiz ‘‘a lovely young woman with an upbeat personality.”

“Her fierce passion for dancing was contagious,” he added in a statement. “We wish to extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and teammates.”

Police asked witnesses to the crash — or anyone else with information about it — to contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Jonathan Graham at 954-828-5125 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

Lopez-Ruiz, a native of Nicaragua, moved to the United States as an infant and graduated from Bradenton’s Bayshore High School, where she was active in athletics and also became captain of the school’ss Honey Bears Dance team.

Brown and Sons Funeral Homes in Bradenton, (941) 758-7788, was handling arrangements, which were incomplete.

Mother of Miami Heat Dancer prepares to bury her daughter

The heartbroken mother of Miami Heat dancer Nancy Lopez-Ruiz prepared to bury her daughter, who died in a motorcycle accident in Fort Lauderdale over the weekend. Lopez-Ruiz’s body will be returned to Bradenton.

Adela Lopez of Bradenton went to the Prime Outlet Mall near Tampa on Sunday to buy a dress for her daughter — to be buried in.

She picked what she felt Nancy G. Lopez-Ruiz would like, white organza, long and flowing, with a jacket. It cost $150 at BCBG Max Azria.

“At the register, the lady said, `All sales are final,’ ” said Nancy’s older sister, Marjorie Lacy, who helped her mother pick out the dress. “I got teary when she said it. This is the last garment Nancy will ever wear.”

Lopez-Ruiz, a graduate from Bayshore High School who just turned 22 on June 6, was killed Friday night in Fort Lauderdale when her motorcycle was struck from behind by a motorist.

The former Bayshore High Honey Bear dancer was coming home from practice with the NBA’s Miami Heat, who had just hired her for their dance team. Described by her family members as vivacious and bursting with life, Lopez-Ruiz shared her organs and skin tissue with donors.

Her visitation is 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Brown and Sons Funeral Home, 5624 26th St. W. in Bradenton. Her funeral Mass is scheduled 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bradenton.

The accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. Friday as Lopez-Ruiz, who lived in Plantation, was riding her 2003 Suzuki GSX R in the westbound right-hand lane of in the 700 block of East Sunrise Boulevard.

Police said Mario Careaga of Fort Lauderdale had been driving his 2009 Mercedes-Benz behind Lopez-Ruiz on the boulevard. At some point, the Mercedes struck the median at the lane split and curve of North Federal Highway, then struck the motorcycle, knocking the dancer off her bike.

Lopez-Ruiz was pronounced dead on at the scene. It’s unclear if she was wearing a helmet.

Blood samples were taken from Careaga. Police are awaiting toxicology reports, and said they were continuing to investigate the accident.

On Sunday night, the Lopez-Ruiz family home in West Glen was filled with hugging people and pictures of Lopez-Ruiz.

Her mother and father moved to Bradenton from Nicaragua 21 years ago when she was an infant; four sisters and two brothers also survive her.

Lopez-Ruiz recently spent 15 days in her native Nicaragua, where she was born, to meet her mother’s parents. It was as if she sensed something, her mother said Sunday night.

“I have to do it before I die,’ ” Adela recalled her daughter saying.

When her grandparents heard about her death, a massive celebration of her life began in their town, Leon.

“Prayers and music until 2 a.m.,” Adela Lopez said.

Adela earned her master’s degree in reading from the University of South Florida and teaches in Bradenton.

“We wanted a small town to raise our children,” said Adela Lopez. All five girls attended Bayshore High School, including Marjorie, 30, Indira, 26, Meylin, 25, Nancy, and Stephanie, 18.

Pictures of Nancy Lopez-Ruiz were arranged on the mantle of the family home.

There was one of her as a wiry 9-year-old after winning a national aerobics dance competition.

There was a recent one of Lopez-Ruiz as a beauty pageant contestant.

There was one of Lopez-Ruiz hugging her father, Armando, who is an aviation mechanic for APP Aviation at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

There was one of Lopez-Ruiz standing proudly by her mother.

Family members said they have been crying since Friday night when they received the tragic news.

“I have been crying for two days without stopping,” said Adela Lopez. “I am devastated. I am really sad. I am feeling my daughter’s life is gone and she was 22 and so many dreams and hopes.”