BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Ms. Nicole Walker said she is still in shock over the death of her sister, Ms. Monica Alvarez (pictured, right). Ms. Alvarez died on November 16th after she was hit by a car near the intersection of N. 43rd Street and E. Hillsborough Avenue.

On Thursday, she completed the first step in her agenda to have the street where her sister died, renamed in her honor. Ms. Walker appeared before City Council to make her request officially known.

Appearing before City Council on Thursday, Ms. Walker said, “I’m looking for lights, sidewalks, speed bumps, and I want the street named after my sister. If that can’t be done, then I want a monument in her honor,” she said.

Chairman Charlie Miranda extended his condolences to Ms. Walker and assured her that her representative, Councilman Frank Reddick, was already working toward accomplishing those things.

Nicole Walker

Ms. Walker said her sister was about 6 years old when their mother, the late Mrs. Alice Alvarez died. She grew up with Ms. Walker’s children.

“I was like a mother figure to her. We were very close. It’s very hard for me to go over to her apartment and see the teddy bears and dolls. People even took teddy bears and dolls to the hospital. I want to thank everyone for the prayers, love and support. It has been amazing,” Ms. Walker said.

At the time of her death, Ms. Alvarez did not have any insurance. However, Ms. Walker said the community gave from their hearts.

“I want to have the street named after my sister and I’m not going to stop until I do. That is when I will feel complete and can go on with my life,” she said.

Ms. Walker, a recovering addict, gives all credit for her being able to endure the tragedy to God. “It’s not me, it’s God. He is real. I didn’t have a dime to bury my sister, but I thank God for the people who came through for us. God has poured so many blessings on me and I won’t move until He tells me to move.

“I don’t hold any hard feelings toward the young man. I called him over to my house the day of my sister’s funeral and talked to him. He kept holding his head down and I told him to hold his head up. I want him to be somebody, come back, and tell his story. People have to understand, the same thing can happen to you that happened to him.”

A hair stylist by trade, Ms. Walker said she had a hard time dealing with her sister’s death. “I went into the closet and told God to have his way. He is the only one who can comfort me.”

Ms. Alvarez, a 27-year-old Tampa native, who was six months pregnant, was pushing her 1-year-old daughter, Imani, in a stroller at the time of the accident. Ms. Shanita Little, 23, was walking with Ms. Alvarez and pushing her own 1-year-old daughter, Marquisha Wilson, in a second stroller.

Ms. Alvarez and her unborn son, Angel, died. Ms. Little and her daughter were injured, but survived. Imani was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where she was admitted in critical condition. Ms. Walker said the little girl is still hospitalized, but she is showing improvements.

The driver, Daryl Oliver, 28, of Tampa, told police he didn’t see them walking down the partially unlit street.

The accident happened within a block of the intersection of East Hillsborough Avenue and N. 43rd Street. The area is poorly lit and there are no sidewalks.