EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. —
It was a perfect Fall morning at Purgatory Creek Park in Eden Prairie.
"Excited to see how many people are coming and checking in now," said Raveena Patel.
Everyone at the pavilion was ready to run or walk for Ria Patel.
Her friends and family are keeping her memory alive.
"Everywhere she went she brought smiles on people's faces," said Ria's uncle Hitesh Patel.
"She has touched so many people's lives. They remember her now as the fun and silly girl," said cousin Raveena.
Raveena and her friend Jenny Osland organized Sunday's Run for Ria, more than two years after Ria was killed in a car crash.
Last year a jury convicted her boyfriend, who was driving that September night, of criminal vehicular homicide.
On Sunday, dozens Ran for Ria and ran to raise awareness against distracted and drunk driving.
"We don't want this to happen to anyone else. We don't want anyone to go through this," said Raveena.
An important message she says as we get closer to the holidays while keeping Ria's memory alive.
"I'm sure Ria is looking at this event with a great big smile feeling really proud of the turnout," said Hitesh.