Family mourns Darisha Bailey-Vath at celebration of life

(ABC 6 News) – Saturday was a very sad day for the family and friends of Darisha Bailey-Vath as she was laid to rest.

Tears were everywhere as as her loved ones mourned the loss of the teen girl’s life that was taken too soon.

RELATED: Rochester family remembers victim of fatal hit and run

“I cry every morning,” said Darius Bailey, Darisha’s father.

Her family remembers her as a kind person, who loved animals and was always giving to those in need.

“She was my best friend,” said Devon Bailey-Vath, Darisha’s older brother.

The family should have been planning her high school graduation celebration, but instead they were attending her funeral.

“Sometimes I just feel like I haven’t woke up yet, but this is reality. She’s no longer with us,” said Darius.

Darisha’s life was tragically taken on July 16 after a hit-and-run in Forest Lake.

Police responded to reports of a person being hit by a vehicle, and arrived to find Darisha laying on the ground.

First responders performed emergency medical care, but she died at the scene.

“It’s all in God’s hands now. I’ve built up so much anger, so much sadness, and I just don’t know what to think and feel and believe no more,” said Devon.

Devon was with Darisha when she was hit.

“I’m looking at my sister get ran over, and all I could do was scream, and all I did was just see her lifeless body. It was the worst, it was the worst thing ever,” said Devon.

“I know that she’s in a better place now,” said Darius. “The more I think about it, if my son didn’t get out the way, we probably would be planning two funerals right now.”

Dozens of people attended Darisha’s celebration of life.

“The community’s just showing us so much love, and I’m just hearing everybody talk about how they want justice for my baby sister,” said Darius.

The driver of the vehicle, Dylan Simmons, was charged with third-degree murder and criminal vehicular homicide after claiming to be responsible for the hit-and-run. Simmons’ passenger has not been charged with anything.

As far as the family is concerned, it’s not enough to bring justice for Darisha.

“I feel like the dude that’s getting charged for my sister’s murder is not getting charged enough, and the passenger too,” said Devon.

Darisha was loved by many, and will be missed by all.

The family has a GoFundMe to raise money for their legal expenses.