LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Las Vegas artist sewed the pajama fabric into the stuffed panda bear, hoping to bring some relief to the two young daughters grieving their father—another victim of an apparent DUI driver.
Parker Rose said the news of a deadly crash near Howard Heckethorn Elementary was getting around the neighborhood. His boss in the parent-teacher association revealed the victim and the 6 and 8-year-old daughters left behind.
“Immediately it ripped my heart out,” he said. “It was so it was so sad to see, and I just knew I wanted to do something.”
On Feb. 21, James McCoy Jr., 62, was struck while on his e-bike and killed by a driver who faces multiple charges including DUI resulting in death, according to Las Vegas police.
A few days later Rose said he reached out to the McCoy family with an offer: symbols of James’s love in the form of stuffed animals.
“I can take these special fabrics that were his and turn them into something that the girls can hold and hug and keep for the rest of their lives,” Rose said.
Rose said his experience with art started at a young age. His mother bought him a sewing machine and around 1,000 canvases for him to throw paint on.
“I just had so much fun with it,” he said. “When I was able to start making things that actually were good, I loved gifting things.”
One item Rose was able to make was stuffed animals, something he learned from his mother.
“The family gets to decide which fabric that they get to take from their loved ones,” Rose said. “We take those clothes and with care. We don’t wash them.”
McCoy’s daughters Lili, 8, and Yoyo, 6, were thankful for the two stuffed panda bears. Rose gifted a pillow made with James’s clothes to his mother, Barbara Leach.
“It’s just a beautiful gift,” Barbara said. “Everything is just so heartwarming and giving.”
Lili named her panda “Chess” after the game her father would teach her, and Yoyo named her panda in loving memory of her dad.
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Parker Rose said the news of a deadly crash near Howard Heckethorn Elementary was getting around the neighborhood. His boss in the parent-teacher association revealed the victim and the 6 and 8-year-old daughters left behind. (KLAS) -
Parker Rose said the news of a deadly crash near Howard Heckethorn Elementary was getting around the neighborhood. His boss in the parent-teacher association revealed the victim and the 6 and 8-year-old daughters left behind. (KLAS)
Leach said she hopes for more changes in her son’s memory, specifically penalties for DUI drivers.
“I just hope that legislators do something to change the situation,” she said. “I’m sure things happen, but we can do something about it.”
A Las Vegas judge denied bail for the man accused of driving impaired and killing McCoy, identified as Jesus Robles Jr., 49. Court records show he faced other open criminal cases, including a second pending DUI charge.
