BRADENTON – A Bradenton man who died after his family’s home exploded was laid to rest Wednesday.
“It’s a great loss. This day is for Adrian. Its to celebrate the life of Adrian Lopez Junior,” CJ Czaia.
The loved ones of 23-year-old Adrian Lopez Jr. gathered at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bradenton to honor the young life that was cut tragically short.
Last week the family’s attorney CJ Czaia reported Adrian Jr. had “succumbed to his injuries while at the Largo Medical Center.” Adrian Jr. suffered 3rd Degree Burns after the family’s home exploded following a nearby gas leak on December 3rd.
“It’s a tremendous loss to the family, but what hurt the most was for a mother to lose a child,” said Czaia. “There is no payment, money nothing that could ever compensate this family.”
Adrian Jr. a University of South Florida student was preparing to follow in the footsteps of his father who was an engineer in Mexico. He was also helping his parents apply to remain in the country legally.
“He was the son that was helping his family obtain immigration papers,” said Czaia. “He was the son that was going to carry the family forward.”
The attorney says through the tragedy the family is finding themselves hopeful they’ll get justice for the death of Adrian; and shedding light on the challenges an undocumented immigrant faces when trying to reach a legal status.
At the Skyway Memorial Gardens his family and friends said their final goodbyes to young engineering student, who many say had a bright future ahead of him.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family cover the cost of the funeral. Czaia also told reporters Adrian Sr. is expected to be discharged from the hospital sometime this week.
