Police hope witnesses can help solve the man’s death

THORNTON, Colo. – Thornton police need the public’s help to figure out what led to a man’s death earlier this month. Officers responded to an area near East 88th Avenue and Washington Street around 8:15 p.m. on May 4 for reports of an injured man lying in the street.

Family members told 9NEWS they found 22-year-old Rayvon Lewis there. He died from his injuries later that night.

“In losing him, I lost a part of myself. So it’s pretty tough,” Reginal Lewis, Rayvon’s brother, told 9NEWS on Monday. “It’s one of those things that you know is going to be hard to swallow, you know that full well.”

“I feel like he was everything to me,” added Gabrielle Gonzales, Rayvon’s girlfriend. She and Rayvon have a one-year-old child together. “He was super goofy, he was always happy that he was living in the moment, he always emphasized living in the moment and being grateful for today.”

In a news release last week, Thornton police said they initially believed Lewis had been hit by a car, but later learned he may have fallen from the back of a truck. Neither Gonzales nor Lewis know who Rayvon was with that day.

Police said they were looking for a motorcyclist who they believed was the only witness. This person told others to call 911 but left before first responders arrived.

“I don’t know if it was an accident or some kind of conflict, but we’re hoping to find out,” Reginald Lewis said. “I don’t want anyone to experience ignorance right now.”

Rayvon’s relatives hope that the motorcyclist or other possible witnesses will come forward. The family searched for surveillance videos in the busy area but found what they were looking for.

They hope someone will understand their request and pass along information to law enforcement that will give them some peace.

“We just want to know so we can get some closure because if there are so many cars on the road all day, how could no one see anything that day?” Gonzales asked. “That day a part of me disappeared and it’s like the only thing I need is the last piece so I can understand what happened to Rayvon, just for the sake of our son.”

Rayvon’s family remembered him as a loving man who always made those around him happy. He enjoyed music, drawing, and spending time with his son. While what happened that day remains uncertain, the impact Rayvon had on people is clear.

“He planned to do some special things in his life,” added his brother Reginald Lewis. “It would mean the world to us to find out what happened to our loved one.”

“I was very blessed to be able to spend as much time with him as possible,” Gonzales said, choking back tears. “I’m just thankful for all the memories we have.”

Thornton police encourage the witness or anyone else who may have information about this case to call the hotline at 720-977-5069.