On March 12, 2023, my son Nicholas John Puzio, 25, was hit in a crosswalk by two hit-and-run drivers. The actions of these reckless drivers led to, and ultimately caused, his death. Both drivers left him in the street to die, with no regard for human life.
How does someone hit a human being and drive away, and then just go on with their life as if nothing happened? Where is the humanity?
Nicholas did not deserve such careless, indignant treatment. Nick was someone who loved his life. Nick loved his family and friends. Nick had a huge personality that lit up every room he entered. Nick was a hard worker. Nick had so much to live for; he was taken away from us too soon.
Losing my son has been the single most unimaginable loss I could ever endure, and we are all learning to try and live through it. Sometimes I do not know how I will get through the days without seeing or hearing my son ever again. No parent should ever have to see their child die. As a parent, my worst nightmare happened.
Santo and I, his brother and sister, family, and friends, will never be the same. All of our lives have forever been changed. Nick’s life is over. We are now left to figure out how to live life without him. The world was a happier place with Nick in it. He was always laughing and joking around.
Nick was a pure soul who would help anyone who needed it, no questions asked. I looked forward to his calls every day. I knew he would say, “I love you, Ma!” He never missed a day.
Saying I miss him doesn’t begin to describe the immense pain I feel. There truly are no words to describe this feeling. Our souls are truly shattered. Nick was a true blessing. If you knew Nick personally, you know his energy was infectious.
We can’t change what happened to Nick on that day, but we can change the laws in New York to hopefully change the mindset of people leaving the scene when they hit someone. They could have helped him. I will never understand this.
This is really an epidemic on Long Island, and individuals who leave the scene of an accident need to be held accountable. It's unacceptable.
New York needs harsher penalties and sentencing in fatal hit-and-run cases. This can happen to anyone and any family.
This is NOT a republican or democrat issue; this is a humanitarian issue. This is a crisis our society is facing. The laws need to be changed.
The two men who killed Nick got six months in jail and five years' probation. They were out in five and go on with their lives. Does that even seem logical? Where is the justice in this?
There will be no penalty strong enough because we can not undo what has been done. Nick’s death is permanent. Help change these laws!
Nick received blood that day to help try to keep him alive, but his injuries were too severe. Please donate blood in his memory. It will help save lives.
Nick would have been 28 this month. I know he would be so happy that we are trying to change these laws and donate blood in his name. This is his third birthday in heaven. We will celebrate his life.
We will keep Nick’s memory alive. Keep saying his name. Nicholas, we will never forget you. Mamma loves you so much. We will all miss you forever. Thank you to everyone who has supported our family. We could not have made it through this without all of you. Thank you.