Now, nearly five months later, Savana\u2019s sister, Haleigh Smith, is speaking out. She said the family is desperate for answers, justice, and an arrest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know for sure where he is, but I know who\u2019s hiding him, and he has a bunch of people that are involved,\u201d Haleigh said.<\/p>\n
According to JSO, the crash happened around 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 2 near University Boulevard South and Atlantic Boulevard.<\/p>\n
Police said a Nissan and a Dodge Challenger were traveling northbound when witnesses reported the Challenger speeding well over 100 mph. Investigators identified the Challenger driver as Rivera-Russo.<\/p>\n
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JSO said Rivera-Russo crashed into Pendarvis\u2019 Nissan, sending both cars off the road. Pendarvis\u2019 car struck a telephone pole and caught fire. Rivera-Russo\u2019s car then crossed into southbound traffic and hit a Toyota Camry near Saint Cecilia Road. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue pronounced Pendarvis dead at the scene.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Police said Rivera-Russo ran away from the crash, never stopping to call for help or assist the victims.<\/p>\n
For Smith, the loss still feels unreal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like my world just shut down,\u201d she said. \u201cI thought it was a joke. I thought it was a cruel joke.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith described her older sister as creative, compassionate, and mature beyond her years.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was always loved,\u201d Smith said. \u201cShe loved to read, to write.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pendarvis attended Douglas Anderson School of the Arts for creative writing and had recently graduated with her bachelor\u2019s degree. According to Smith, she had been working in dispatch and was excited to begin her career.<\/p>\n
On the day of the crash, Smith said Savana had been out shopping and was headed home. She had called a friend, excited to show off a thrift haul when she got back.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was the sweetest soul that you could meet,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI wish people knew her name while she was living.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the months since the crash, Smith said one detail has been especially painful for the family to process.<\/p>\n
The medical examiner determined Savana died from smoke inhalation after the crash, not from the impact itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all assumed that it was from impact,\u201d Smith said. \u201cBut then the autopsy came back, and she had died from smoke inhalation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith said learning that detail intensified her anger after discovering the suspect had left the scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was so angry,\u201d she said. \u201cI didn\u2019t understand how you could leave somebody in that state and not have any care for how they were going to end up.\u201d<\/p>\n
She believes accountability is long overdue.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe should come forward and take accountability for his actions,\u201d Smith said. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to act tough, be tough. Take accountability for the actions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith said she has stayed in touch with detectives, who she said have shared details about the investigation that have not been made public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s more to the case than people see on the surface level,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Still, with months passing and no arrest, Smith said it was important to bring more public attention to the case through social media.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s been five months and he\u2019s now had five months to run, he\u2019s had five months to hide,\u201d she said. \u201cThe more people that see his face and know Savana\u2019s story, the more they\u2019re likely to come forward whenever they see Alexander.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith also said the family has faced another challenge in the aftermath of Savana\u2019s death, threats.<\/p>\n
She said she has received messages from someone she believes is connected to Rivera-Russo.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re saying that if I don\u2019t stop my little game, that I\u2019m going to end up like my sister,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n
She said her younger brother has also received threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going so much deeper than it should be,\u201d Smith said. \u201cPeople that are responsible for the crime just need to come forward and do their time.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the crash site on University Boulevard South, a sign now stands reading \u201cDrive Safe\u201d in memory of Savana.<\/p>\n
When Smith returned to the scene, she said she struggled to imagine what her sister experienced in her final moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe speed limit is 40 miles per hour,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI was going 50 and thought I was flying. I can\u2019t imagine seeing somebody in my rearview mirror coming over 100 miles per hour.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was she thinking in that moment?\u201d Smith said. \u201cShe had to have seen him coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, Savana\u2019s family said they are taking things day by day, while hoping someone comes forward with information that finally leads to an arrest.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all miss her,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI just want justice for Savana.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone with information on Rivera-Russo\u2019s whereabouts is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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