HOUSTON — A commencement ceremony on the College of Houston was bittersweet for a Katy household.

They’re happy with their son, Renzo Olano-Flores, for incomes his diploma in development administration … however heartbroken he didn’t get the prospect to stroll throughout the stage.

He was killed in February by an alleged drunk driver.

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Renzo was in his senior 12 months on the College of Houston when he died. On Thursday, in the course of the College’s graduation ceremony, Renzo was granted a posthumous diploma by the School of Know-how.

His older brother, Juan, accepted the diploma in Renzo’s place whereas a number of members of the family tearfully watched from the viewers.

Juan admits he and the household struggled with whether or not they would attend.

“We take it day-by-day,” Juan stated. “We nonetheless have that bitterness that he’s not right here with us.”

In the long run, the household determined they’d go to honor Renzo. Juan walked throughout the stage and picked up the diploma in his youthful brother’s place.

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“I wanted to do that for him,” Juan stated, admitting he was nervous at first. “Initially, I didn’t know what to do. After which out of the blue, I simply felt this robust wind from behind and I began strolling and I received very emotional. I used to be imagining him being the one which was strolling.”

After the ceremony, Renzo’s diploma was proudly hung alongside his brother and sister’s, on a particular spot designated for diplomas on his mom’s wall.

“We have been very, very happy with him,” Juan stated. “I do know he’s watching from above with a smile.”

In February, 24-year-old Renzo Olano-Flores was driving residence from a member of the family’s residence after an evening of enjoying poker. He was down the highway from his residence when he was hit by an alleged drunk driver.

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Ilianna Zepeda, 22, is charged with a second-degree felony offense of intoxication manslaughter with a automobile and a second-degree felony offense of failure to cease and render support in an accident involving loss of life.

Investigators stated that at about 2:20 a.m., Zepeda had simply left a bar the place she’d been consuming when she ran a pink gentle on the intersection of Franz Highway and Westgreen Boulevard in Katy. Authorities stated she hit Renzo Olano-Florez’s automobile, killing him. In keeping with court docket paperwork, Zepeda then walked away from the scene however was later introduced again by her sister.

Her bond was set at $1 million. Zepeda was out on bond for a earlier DUI cost on the time of the crash.