Former student killed in hit-and-run

This past Saturday morning former Blazer Wilber Ramirez was struck and killed in a hit-and-run on the 5000 block of 38th Avenue in Hyattsville. An email with information concerning Ramirez's viewing and funeral was sent out on Blair private at 1 p.m. today; the main office made a school-wide announcement with the same information at the beginning of eighth period.

According to Corporal Larry Johnson, a spokesperson for the Prince George's (PG) County Police, authorities responded to a call about an injured pedestrian at approximately 2:21 a.m. on Saturday; Ramirez was pronounced dead on the scene. According to Ramirez's sister, senior Zenia Ramirez, her brother was attending a party in Hyattsville and crossing the street when he was struck.

Ramirez was a member of the class of 2010, though he did not graduate from Blair. According to Zenia, Ramirez transfered to an alternative school in Rockville during his senior year and continued his schooling there until his death. Ramirez was a member of Blair's wrestling team from his sophomore year until he changed schools. He has two siblings still attending Blair, Zenia and her twin brother Emmanuel, also a senior.

Ramirez's viewing is today from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church off of East-West Highway on Colston Dr., and his funeral mass will be held at the same location tomorrow at 10 a.m. Both the viewing and the funeral mass are open to the public, according to Zenia.

The PG County Police currently have no description of the vehicle that hit Ramirez and are searching for eye-witness accounts of the accident. "We're basically looking for any and all evidence that we can get," said Johnson. "We're still looking for eye-witnesses." Ramirez's hit-and-run is under investigation, and Johnson encourages community members with any information to call 1-833-411-TIPS.

All school guidance counselors are on call for any students in need of grief support, according to resource counselor Marcia Johnson. "We will accommodate for all [student needs]," she said. "Someone will always be available."