Mother Faces Homelessness After Son's Unsolved Hit-and-Run Death

Tragic Loss Leaves Family Devastated

Andrew Reyna, 31, died in a hit-and-run crash last November on Old Highway 90 , leaving his mother Monica Ortega to navigate an unimaginable tragedy that has spiraled into a desperate fight for survival. According to SAPD, a white car hit Reyna first around 5:30 a.m., and after the crash, he was hit again by a second vehicle . While the second driver stopped and called 911, the first driver didn't stop , and three months later, no arrests have been made in the case .

The devastating impact extends far beyond the initial loss. "It's like, how do you forget someone that got run over like that?" Ortega asked, her voice carrying the weight of a mother's anguish. What began as a plea for justice has transformed into a battle for basic survival that highlights how tragedy can compound in ways that devastate families long after the initial incident.

From Grief to Homelessness

KSAT first talked to Ortega a week after the crash when she begged for someone with information to come forward . But since that initial interview, her circumstances have deteriorated dramatically. She said she's now experiencing homelessness , a stark reminder of how quickly life can unravel when tragedy strikes families without adequate support systems.

The financial burden of losing a loved one often catches families off guard. Funeral costs, which can easily reach thousands of dollars, become insurmountable obstacles for those already struggling financially. Ortega said at this point, she can't afford to bury or cremate her son . It has been a month since Andrew's passing, and she remains unable to lay him to rest because she simply does not have the money to pay for his funeral or burial expenses .

The Impossible Choice

Ortega's situation illustrates a cruel reality many grieving families face: choosing between basic survival and honoring their loved one's memory. "How am I going to send my son home if I can't even get help from anybody? I don't know what to do," she said, her words capturing the desperation of a mother caught between grief and practical necessity.

The case remains active, with Crime Stoppers offering up to $5,000 for information that leads to felony arrests . Yet for Ortega, the search for justice has become secondary to the immediate need for shelter and the resources to properly lay her son to rest. Her plea to the hit-and-run driver remains simple but powerful: "Turn yourself in and say something" .

Beyond One Family's Struggle

Ortega's story exposes gaps in support systems that leave grieving families vulnerable when they're least able to advocate for themselves. While victim assistance programs exist, they often fall short of addressing the complex, long-term needs that arise when tragedy intersects with existing financial instability. The combination of funeral costs, lost income, and housing insecurity creates a perfect storm that can push families into homelessness.

As communities grapple with rising costs of living and limited safety nets, Ortega's experience serves as a sobering reminder that tragedy doesn't discriminate, and its effects can ripple far beyond the immediate loss. Her ongoing struggle highlights the need for comprehensive support systems that address not just the emotional aftermath of violent crime, but the practical realities that can determine whether families emerge from tragedy with their basic needs intact or find themselves fighting for survival on multiple fronts.