PEORIA, Ill. – Family and friends of Erik Herrera held a protest Thursday afternoon at the Peoria County Courthouse to seek justice after he died in a crash in July.
The 20-year-old Herrera died after suffering blunt force trauma injuries in a crash involving the motorcycle he was riding and a car, in the area of Sheridan and Lake.
The protest was organized by Herrera’s mother, Reina Foster.
“Hell is an understatement of what I feel everyday. I don’t sleep. I look for different avenues and figuring out how and where to seek this justice,” Foster said.
Foster says she has reached out to Peoria Police and Chief Eric Echevarria since the crash to address concerns over negligence in the handling and investigation of the case.
A Peoria Police spokesperson declined to comment when asked about the case. The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office says they are currently investigating whether charges can be filed.
Foster says there are many voices seeking justice for Herrera.
“He had many many family [sic], came from a very close-kintted family. He was very close to his friends. We have a ton of supporters, we’ve had a ton of supporters, and our supporters are growing every day,” Foster said.
Foster says Thursday’s demonstration was the first, and more are planned.
