Family of Marpi hit-and-run victim stages protest

Family and friends of Sophia A. Demapan hold a peaceful protest across the Guma Hustisia last Friday. (KIMBERLY B. ESMORES)

A week following the Superior Court’s decision to try as a minor the alleged driver in the fatal hit-and-run that killed a 20-year-old woman along Route 30 in Marpi, the family and friends of the victim started a protest in hopes of getting justice for their loved one.

Last Friday, family and friends of Sophia A. Demapan led a peaceful protest across the Guma Hustisia at around 4pm. They were later joined by a handful of JusticeForSophia supporters.

The protestors held signs to raise awareness about Demapan’s case while urging passersby to honk in support.

The family intends to carry out their protest “until they get the answers they are searching for” and are determined to make sure that Demapan’s case does not go cold.

Currently, the proceedings in the case of the driver who allegedly left Demapan for dead is still closed to the public as his case remains under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

According to Saipan Tribune archives, last Aug. 9, following a closed-door litigation between the defense and the prosecution that lasted over 30 minutes, the court decided to try as a juvenile the male suspect and, in doing so, sealed the entire case. This means the case and its proceedings will not be open to the public, not even to family members of the defendant or the deceased.
Last July 27, at around 9:52pm, Department of Public Safety responded to a report about an unresponsive individual lying on the shoulder of Route 30 in Marpi, just north of the former Mariana Resort & Spa.

Saipan Tribune learned from a source that the caller, who lives nearby, was driving home at around 9pm when he noticed a body along the road. The caller immediately stopped to help and called the police for assistance.

At the scene, police noticed an unresponsive female resting on the shoulder of the roadway with tire marks nearby. The female was later identified as Demapan.

The police report stated that Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services responders transported Demapan to the Commonwealth Health Center where she was pronounced dead at 1am.

According to Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services responding officers, Demapan’s body had multiple lacerations and deformities, multiple fractures and severe injuries to her head.