MIAMI.- The pain, the tears, the conviction, the pride… feelings that crowd the chest of a woman shattered, during the 2024 graduation ceremony of Miami Dade College (MDC). Dayami Apaulaza is the mother of young Yanaisa Pulido, who lost her life while saving lives during a spectacular vehicle accident last February and who received her postmortem diploma at the event held at the loanDepot Park in Little Havana.
“We have mixed emotions. One for the pain because she will not be receiving the diploma she longed for, for which she spent sleepless nights, sleepless days to get to her graduation (bursts into tears). She told me that the day she was going to die she wanted to do so saving lives. . I told him, think about your family too. The day before the tragedy she had also stopped to help and even with injuries she did it again and that was when she (she broke) she died” said Apalauza.
The family of the 23-year-old Cuban-American girl received her degree in national security.
“I am destroyed. I saw her as my twin, I did everything with her. My sister’s death left me feeling like I don’t even know myself. I have made the decision to become a police officer in honor of her,” declares Emilio Pulido, the victim’s brother.
“I am very grateful to the MDC because it shows me my daughter’s legacy,” Apalauza added. While the president of the MDC Madeline Pumariega maintained that “She died like a heroine. For us to be able to give this moment to her mother and her siblings to be able to see that she managed to complete her career, it is very exciting and well deserved”
Pulido tragically lost her life on February 11, when she was run over after stopping to help victims of a crash on Interstate 95 in Fort Lauderdale. She was an EMT who had just finished her shift and was heading home at the time.
Upon seeing two vehicles that had collided, he stopped to help the victims. Tragically, while she was providing aid, one of the cars involved in the accident was hit by two other vehicles, resulting in the fatal collision.
Pulido, who completed the Hialeah Fire Cadet Course in 2019, worked as a rescue worker in Miami-Dade while attending school.
According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, the incident began when the driver of a red 2019 Kia Forte crashed into a concrete median, blocking two center lanes. Subsequently, a black 2015 Mercedes GLA250 struck the Kia.
However, a black 2023 Lexus IS300, driven by a 19-year-old man, failed to stop in time and collided with the rear of a 2015 silver Cadillac, which in turn ran over the young woman who was pronounced dead at the scene. of the accident, while his partner was seriously injured.
Friends and loved ones have expressed their deep sorrow for the loss of Yanaisa Pulido, remembering her as a brave and caring person.
