Procession honors late Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez
VENTURA, Calif. – Community members, local law enforcement agencies, and fire departments honored late Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez with a procession from Ventura to Oxnard on Monday afternoon just days after her unexpected death.
"It's an honor to be out here and have the opportunity to pay tribute to a woman who has given so much to this community," said Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub.
"Carmen Ramirez was just iconic. I was really looking forward to all the things she was going to accomplish for the many years to come that we all expected her to serve on the (Board of Supervisors)."
Ramirez was struck by a car while crossing a crosswalk in Oxnard on Friday evening and died from her injuries.
In the days following, the community has expressed overwhelming love and admiration for Ramirez's leadership and advocacy.
On Monday, a precession went from the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office to Camino del Sol Memorial Center and Funeral Home in Oxnard.
"This community has lost a great person, a great leader," said Ventura County Medical Center employee Josie Balderama. "She was very giving and she really represented everyone in the community. A big part of this community has just been taken away from us."
Ramirez ,73, was the county's first Latino supervisor and board chair and continuously fought for Medicare for all, women's reproductive rights, and human rights alongside civil rights leaders and farm workers.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, who visited Ramirez in Camarillo during the COVID-19 pandemic, will name an interim supervisor.
Roadside memorials are growing by the crosswalk where she was fatally struck on Friday night.
Friends waiting at a Summer concert series at Heritage Square in Oxnard heard the crash.
The Oxnard man driving the GMC pickup truck involved in the pedestrian accident was heading West on Seventh St. toward the South A St. crosswalk at 6:40 p.m.
Some people believe the driver,38, was heading into the setting sun.
Oxnard Police said he stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
Funeral plans have not yet been announced.
