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Father Of Teen Killed By Times Square Driver Leaves Heartbreaking Letter At Makeshift Memorial
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published May 22, 2017
Modified May 22, 2017
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Scott Heins / Gothamist
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published May 22, 2017
Modified May 22, 2017
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The father of Alyssa Elsman, the 18-year-old woman who was fatally struck by an unhinged driver who injured 20 others in a high-speed rampage down sidewalks in Times Square on Thursday, has left a heartbreaking note at a memorial near the spot where his daughter died.
In his letter, framed and draped with a rosary, Thomas Elsman repeatedly thanks New Yorkers for their kindness, noting that "Alyssa loved this city...she loved Times Square." The message sits beside a photo of Alyssa, propped up against an NYPD barricade along with several bouquets, candles, and stuffed animals.
"There is no words that can express out gratitude with the outpouring of love and support this city has shown us," the letter begins. "I have met so many people from different countries, religions, creeds etc..it doesn't matter..you have shown us that when you remove bias..racism..and ignorance..WE ARE ALL ONE."
He adds that the "impromptu memorial dedicated to our daughter and seeing and talking to you many of you has helped me cope with our loss."
(Scott Heins / Gothamist)
The letter was dropped off some time this weekend, after Elsman drove overnight from the family's home in Portage, Michigan to visit his 13-year-old daughter, who is recovering from a broken leg sustained in the collision. The distraught father then went to Midtown, but was taken to Bellevue after he reportedly told law enforcement officials that he wanted to kill Richard Rojas, the man who admitted to the rampage.
After the incident, Thomas Elsman told Fox 5, "My first born daughter is gone. My heart died in New York yesterday."
In the note, part of which is addressed to Alyssa, the father adds, "I always have the answers.. But I am blank... I have a hole in my heart that can never be filled. My world changes when you came into it and it is unexplainable with you leaving it. I love you kid. Just no words."
The letter concludes with several expressions of love, and is signed simply "Dad."
Read the full letter below:
There is no words that can express our gratitude with the outpouring of love and support this city has shown us. Our medical staff, The NYPD and most of all YOU. This impromptu memorial dedicated to our daughter and seeing and talking to many of you has helped me cope with our loss. I have met so many people from different countries, religions, creeds etc..it doesn't matter..you have shown us that when you remove bias..racism..and ignorance..WE ARE ALL ONE... Your condolences have been sincere and taken to heart. Please also remember there are 20 other families affected by this and please keep them in your thoughts too. Alyssa loved this city...she loved Times Square. She would appreciate all your kind words but she would also tell us all to get back up and continue. That's how full of life my daughter was This city and our hearts are scarred, cut to the core, but in true New York City fashion..We will heal..We will prevail..and we will never forget. Alyssa Lynn Elsman, my beautiful 18 year old girl. I look at myself and will never understand how I could ever have made such an angel...Im glad you got your mothers looks.. I don't know anything currently..I always have the answers..but I am blank...I have a hole in my heart that can never be filled. My world changed when you came into it and it is unexplainable with you leaving it. I love you kid. Just no words <3 Love you love you love you
Dad
Rojas, 26, is being held without bail on charges of murder and attempted murder for the May 18th incident. He has reportedly told police that he had smoked marijuana laced with PCP before driving through the crowded sidewalks at high speed. And Mayor Bill de Blasio said last week that Rojas's family told him Rojas suffered from "mental health issues going back to childhood that, like so many other such situations in our society, went unaddressed, even during the time he was in the U.S. military."
Richard Rojas's car in Times Square, May 18, 2017 (Getty Images)
Tagged
Alyssa Elsman
Richard Rojas
Thomas Elsman
Times Square
Times Square memorial
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Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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