A 29-year-old Maka Langi of East Palo Alto died after the motorcycle he was riding was hit on a Milpitas highway. Photo/Fale Hufanga United Methodist Church (Facebook).
Friends and family of Maka Langi a motorcyclist who was killed and left to die on a South Bay highway after he was hit by a car earlier this month, held a sombre ceremony in his honour.
His family said it was Langi’s lifelong dream to own a motorcycle. The 29-year-old bought a 2007 Harley Davidson back in May on the one year anniversary of his mother’s death. She died of cancer. Two months after owning the bike, his life abruptly ended, KTVU news reported.
“He was cruising on his bike and couldn’t wait to see his nephew,” his cousin and best friend Tupou Taufahema told the news.
On July 4, CHP said around 9:15 p.m. Langi was riding his motorcycle on Interstate 880 North in Milpitas approaching the Highway 237 overpass when he was hit. CHP said the driver sped off and Langi died at the scene, the news reported.
“We had plans of growing old together, we had a lot of plans together,” said Taufahema. “My heart hurts. It really hurts.”
Loved ones said the East Palo Alto man was loving, caring and known as Uncle Maka to the many kids in the family. While studying at Foothill College, he worked two jobs including one at Ikea and another helping his dad with his landscaping business.
No one is taking it harder than Langi’s father.
“I know he loved me so much,” said Langi’s father Emmanuel.
His father Emmanuel Langi was reported as speaking directly to the hit-and-run motorist through the broadcast, saying that he forgives him for what he has done, and that he simply wishes for him to come forward with answers.
Police have yet to make any arrests and their investigation was ongoing.
