'My focus is on finding who did this,' says mom of hit-and-run victim
21-year-old Cody Joss was hit by pickup truck in Winnipeg's West Kildonan area, say police
Family and friends of Cody Joss said goodbye to the 21-year-old Tuesday afternoon, but they still have many unanswered questions about his death.
More than 300 people showed up at the funeral home on Notredame Avenue to pay their respects.
For somebody to actually hit somebody and continue on going, not even calling 911, that's heartless- Pat Ducharme, Cody Joss's grandmother
"He was kind, soft spoken, always laughing, who had a genuine heart," said Joss's uncle at the Tuesday service.
Joss died after being hit by a pickup truck while crossing the road at Inkster Boulevard and McGregor Street, in the city's West Kildonan area, on Dec. 19.
Joss's family believes he missed his bus stop and had to walk a few blocks home when he was hit.
No one has claimed responsibility for the incident.
'Focus is on finding who did this': Sherri Duka
"You can't tell me that person didn't know they hit him," said Sherri Duka, Joss’s mother.
His stepfather Dwayne Duka still can't believe the driver who hit Joss left the scene without calling for help.
"It was like I said before ... inhumane to leave a boy lying there on the street, fighting for his life," said Dwayne Duka.
He was just starting his work career and knowing what he wants to do, and it was taken away- Dwayne Duka, Cody Joss's stepfather
Sherri Duka said the family needs the driver to come forward.
“It's not going to bring him back, but it is closure to us, because my focus has been Cody since it happened,” said Duka. “After today, my focus is on finding who did this.”
Police are investigating and have asked for any potential witnesses to contact them.
Check trucks for damage, asks grandmother
Joss's grandmother Pat Ducharme wants people to check all trucks.
"There definitely is damage done. You know he was hit very, very hard so there's got to be the grille, lights, anything — there's got to be some damage done to a truck," she said.
"Anybody, you know who's got one, it takes two seconds to go and take a look."
Ducharme said she can't understand how the driver could not report the incident.
"You know, you understand accidents happen. But for somebody to actually hit somebody and continue on going, not even calling 911, that's heartless," she said. "That's somebody who has no compassion for human life."
'He was just 21': Dwayne Duka
More details of just who the 21-year-old was came out of the Tuesday service.
A decorative display of flowers with the Winnipeg Jets logo was on hand, meant to commemorate Joss's favourite hockey team.
Those in attendance heard about Joss's love of wrestling and heavy metal music, his big smile and accomplishments despite the challenges before him.
Joss had attention deficit disorder and a form of autism.
"He graduated in spite of his struggles in kindergarten," said Sherri Duka.
Joss was working with his stepfather in shipping and receiving before he died.
"He was just starting his work career and knowing what he wants to do," said Dwayne Duka. "And it was taken away."
To contact police with any details about the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run death of Cody Joss, call investigators at 204-986-6271.