Family and friends are remembering the Arlington teenager who died after falling from a moving vehicle over the weekend.
Lelys Leyva-Monreal, 17, was inside a vehicle with four friends on South Cooper Street near Park Row Drive around 2:45 a.m. Saturday morning.
According to police interviews, Monreal was hanging out of a backseat window and one of her friends tried to pull her back inside. The teen fell out, hit the ground and the Suburban she'd been riding in struck her.
The driver stopped the sport utility vehicle and three of the passengers inside came to her aid. However, the driver went back to the vehicle and took off, leaving the passengers on the roadway with Monreal, according to investigators.
Monreal was transported to Medical Center in Arlington by an ambulance and died a short time later due to her injuries, police said.
Police say they have talked all four people who were in the SUV with Monreal, including the driver. Investigators say they'll compare those accounts of the incident with physical evidence collected at the scene.
At this time no charges have been filed.
School Remembers Fallen Student
Students at Arlington High School shared a moment of silence on Monday morning for their fallen classmate.
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Junior Edward Enriquez said he'd known Monreal for years.
"It’s just surprising that she’s gone. We can’t bring her back. There’s not much you can say about it,” Enriquez said. “I’ve known her for so long, I can’t believe she’s gone.”
Junior Maria Pena remembered the teen's kindness.
"She was really outgoing. She was really nice." Pena said. "I would cry when someone would break up with me, and she'd always support me and say, 'Stay strong.'"
“In a way I can see how it was her fault in some way, but she’s the sweetest girl you can ever meet. She was there for you when you needed her. If you just wanted to talk to someone, she would just help you out," Enriquez said. “I would like to know how everything went down, but I don’t care about that right now. It’s just so sad I have to see this.”
Arlington ISD administrators said Monreal had withdrawn from school earlier this year for about a month but had re-enrolled on April 10 and was taking classes to catch up with credits. The circumstances for Monreal's withdrawal were not mentioned by Arlington ISD officials.
The high school said guidance counselors are shadowing the teen's classes to be available for students who are emotional.
A makeshift memorial of flowers, crosses, candles and other mementos continues to grow near the spot where Monreal died. About a dozen of her friends met here Monday afternoon during their lunch break. They shared tears, hugs and memories of Monreal.
Questions Remain in Teen's Fatal Fall
As the investigation continues, Monreal's mother, Maria Leyva, said she still needs more answers.
Leyva said she's talked to all four people who were with her 17-year-old daughter in that Suburban, including her daughter's boyfriend. Each seems to have a different version of events, adding what she considers unnecessary mystery to her misery.
“Because there is four different versions now about how she exit by the window. She was in the middle of two persons,” said Leyva.
Police have also spoken to all the witnesses who were inside the vehicle, but have yet to comment on whether any charges will be filed.
“Those responsible must pay with all the weight of the law,” the teen's mother insists. “Nothing more.”
NBC 5's Jeff Smith, Dulce Hernandez, Mark Schnyder, Tim Ciesco and others contributed to this report.
