Danielle

I never really expect to see descansos in cities or heavily urban areas, although I suppose I’m not sure why not. People are killed all over the place, and it turns out that riding a bike in a city is damn near as dangerous as driving on a busy country road. Danielle, unfortunately, is evidence of this statement.

According to news reports, Danielle was riding an electric bike without a helmet when she had to stop suddenly because a car was about to turn in front of her. She fell off her bike but the driver didn’t notice and he ran her over. She died at the scene.

Danielle was forty seven.

Her descanso is attached to a telephone pole, probably just a few feet from where she dies. It’s colorfully decorated with flowers and apparently recently had mylar balloons, although those have since deflated and are left hanging there along with a few fresh flowers that have since turned brown.

Of course there are stuffed animals. The article doesn’t say anything substantial about Danielle’s life — they rarely do — but at forty seven you’re as likely as not to have kids who will bring a stuffy to place at the memorial. Danielle’s had several.

I am honestly not sure how I got this shot, the sloth at the base of her descanso with an ambulance passing behind it at the exact moment I snapped the photo. But it’s sort of sadly perfect, don’t you think?

Rest in peace, Danielle.