Teen should recover from incident that killed activist mom

A local group of young professionals has created an award in honor of a community leader who died in a car crash last week.

The Maria Esther Carrillo Community Leadership Award will recognize people who invest in the city's Hispanic youth, according to a written statement Monday by the Hispanic Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Tampa Bay. It will be awarded annually.

Carrillo, 48, died Thursday when she was struck by a pickup involved in a two-vehicle crash. Carrillo and her daughter, 17-year-old Maria Liliana Carrillo, were standing on a sidewalk in Miami. They were there to pick up a Hispanic scholarship award.

Maria Esther Carrillo died at the scene. Her daughter was seriously injured and is recovering at a Miami hospital.

The elder Maria "served our community with a strong passion and love of our Hispanic youth," HYPE president Braulio Colon said. "Her contributions to our community are long-lasting and will forever be acknowledged. She will be greatly missed by all."

Carrillo, a native of Colombia, came to Tampa in 1990. She founded the Hispanic-American Inter-Cultural Workshop, known as TICH, to help children of Hispanics connect with their culture and language. She was also involved in several local Hispanic organizations.

Along with creating the award, HYPE has also made a financial donation to TICH, Colon said.

Also Monday, the Carrillo family released a statement through attorney Gilberto E. Sanchez. The family thanked all who sent condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery for Liliana, who is a week away from graduating from Hillsborough High School.

"The doctors are cautiously optimistic of a full and complete recovery," Sanchez said in the statement. "We ask for your continued prayers as she recuperates. At the family's request, in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Maria Esther's heart and soul: TICH.''

Donations can be mailed to TICH Inc., 16403 Lake Heather Drive, Tampa FL 33618.

Sanchez said Maria Esther Carrillo's memorial service will be in Tampa, but a date and time has not been set.