On November 23rd, the night before Stamford's annual Thanksgiving parade, Summer Street buzzed with life. Families gathered to watch the festive balloon inflation, an annual tradition marking the start of the holiday season. Mothers clutched colorful balloons, and children laughed as they pointed at the inflatables. Yet, just a few blocks away, Josefina Lozano knelt in quiet solitude, placing flowers beneath what she calls her daughter Yuliana Arias’ tree. Lovingly adorned with ornaments, photographs, and cherished memories, the tree stands as a living tribute to a life tragically cut short. For Josefina, it’s more than a memorial; it’s a sanctuary of love and remembrance. The tree, which glows every Christmas, sits across from Curley’s Diner at Columbus Park, offering a peaceful view of the park. Both places hold deep significance for Josefina, Yuliana’s mother.
On the night of December 3rd, 2022, after their shift at Cantina Mexicana, Yuliana and her co-worker and friend, Giovani Vega Benis, stopped by Curley’s Diner—a spot Yuliana often sought solace after a long day. Sometime after midnight, Yuliana snapped a selfie inside the diner, sitting in one of the booths, drinking hot tea, and wearing a cream-colored beanie she had recently purchased. She sent the photo to her mom, Josefina, and they exchanged a few words before Josefina went to bed, unaware this would be her last conversation with her daughter.
Giovani and Yuliana left Curley’s shortly after 2:00 a.m., stepping into the cold night as Giovani walked Yuliana home. Inside, Olga Anastos, the diner’s manager, stepped out for a rare cigarette break. She remembers hearing a loud crash minutes later. Alarmed, she rushed to call 911, never imagining the tragedy unfolding before her: the death of her dear regulars, Giovani and Yuliana, struck and killed on Washington Boulevard by a drunk driver.
At the time, Josefina was in Bogotá, preparing to attend a christening on Yuliana’s behalf. Early the next morning, Josefina awoke to several missed calls from Stefania, one of Yuliana’s friends. When she finally answered, her phone malfunctioned, crashing repeatedly. Stefania eventually reached out to Nicolas, Yuliana’s younger brother, who delivered the devastating news. Josefina vividly recalls the moment. Nicolas asked if she was alone before saying, “Mom, Yuliana was killed.”
The days that followed were a blur of despair. Josefina, consumed by shock, has little memory of throwing her phone, fighting off her sister’s attempts to console her, or running into the street, nearly getting hit by a car. Overcome with grief, she stopped eating, lost significant weight, and jeopardized her own health. She wasn’t strong enough to attend her daughter’s memorial service in the United States, but she prepared for her daughter’s memorial in Bogotá on December 24, Christmas Eve, after Yuliana’s body arrived in Colombia.
Yuliana was more than a daughter to Josefina; she was her confidante, her pride, and her inspiration. At just 25 years old, Yuliana had accomplished so much. After earning a hospitality certification in Colombia, she dreamed of traveling. One of Yuliana’s most cherished memories was visiting Disney World as a travel agent, a job she worked hard to secure. Josefina recalls Yuliana sending a photo from the trip, proudly reminding her mom that she was living one of her dreams. Not long after, she bought her first apartment with her earnings.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Yuliana lost her job and faced the possibility of losing her apartment. A friend suggested she move to the United States to support her family and keep her home. Determined to provide for her mother and brother, Yuliana made the journey, promising to bring them to the U.S. once she established herself. In Stamford, she quickly adapted, learning basic English, finding work at Cantina Mexicana, and sending money home.
After the tragedy, Josefina found solace in her son, Nicolas, who gave her the strength to move forward. Living in Stamford now brings bittersweet comfort, allowing her to walk the streets Yuliana once did and visit her favorite places. As we sat at Curley’s, discussing the details of that fateful night, Olga and her sister Paulina came over and pointed out that we were sitting at the same booth where Yuliana and Giovani had been seated that night. Josefina, now wearing Yuliana’s cream-colored beanie, felt a small but significant connection to her daughter’s final moments, as she showed them the last picture Yuliana had taken. Olga and Paulina, who run the diner, embraced Josefina, sharing stories of how kind and hardworking Yuliana and Giovani were—two young people whose lives were taken far too soon.
Washington Boulevard, long called "The Boulevard of Death," has a grim reputation due to frequent accidents. Yuliana’s and Giovani’s deaths brought renewed attention to the need for safety improvements on this major state road. The Stamford community was deeply shaken, with the Latino community feeling an especially profound connection to Yuliana’s story—a hardworking immigrant striving for a better future while navigating life alone in the United States, far from her family. Over 30,000 people nationwide signed a petition demanding justice, and a peaceful march was held from the government center to the Stamford Police Station. In March 2023, Michael Talbot, the driver responsible for their deaths, was sentenced to 15 years for manslaughter—a sentence many feel is too lenient. When asked about forgiveness, Josefina expressed empathy for Talbot’s mother but noted, “She can visit her son in prison. One day, he’ll return to his family. I’ll never see my daughter again.”
Josefina remains deeply grateful to the community that supported her through this tragedy. From those who signed the petition and followed the case, to the friends who brought joy to Yuliana’s brief time in Stamford, Josefina feels her daughter found a home away from home. The tree in Columbus Park, constantly adorned with colorful flowers, photos, and holiday ornaments, stands as a symbol of Yuliana’s enduring and touching spirit.
As the two-year anniversary of Yuliana’s passing approaches, Josefina gazes out from Curley’s and says, “This was my daughter’s favorite tree, and now, it’s a part of me. I get to see it from the place of her last picture.”
To honor her daughter's memory, Josefina is organizing a vigil on the two-year remembrance of Yuliana's passing, which also coincides with December’s recognition as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month. This event aims to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of impaired driving. Community members are invited to join the vigil at Yuliana’s tree in Columbus Park at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3rd, to pay tribute to her life and support the call for safer roads.