7 On Your Side helps crash victim's family get security deposit back from rental
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A tragic crash a few weeks before Christmas claimed the lives of six people in their 20s and 30s.
The family of one of the victims desperately needed money to help pay for the sudden funeral expenses. When they couldn't get their loved one's security deposit back weeks after she rented a new apartment, they turned to 7 On Your Side.
"I could hear her heart breaking over the phone, it was like 'call your sister Veronica might've been in a horrible accident,'" said the victim's sister, Jocelyn Inverdale.
A grieving family will never forget the moment they learned Veronica Bailey was in the car which veered off the Pulaski Skyway, killing all six people inside.
"It was so cruel what happened, we were in the supermarket," the victim's grandmother said.
The horrific scene was covered on Eyewitness News.
"The car exploded on impact and went on fire so they couldn't identify any of the remains," said the victim's aunt Melissa Benitez.
Veronica, just 31 years old, was a passenger. She had just launched a beauty business and moved into her own place.
Ever since the accident a few weeks before Christmas, her family has been trying to retrieve the security deposit on her apartment.
"So from the very beginning, I was ignored, no one would ever return my phone calls," Benitez said.
Her aunt said they were not allowed to access the unit.
"We were very clear even though she paid future rent in advance, we told him to keep that, we just wanted to security deposit back so we could put it toward the funeral expenses," Benitez said.
Benitez said it was a total of $1,800. Veronica was only five weeks into her new lease when she died.
More than a month after her funeral, as friends and family gathered to release balloons from the last place she was seen vibrant and alive, Benitez said the apartment manager no-showed twice and still had not returned the deposit. So they called 7 On Your Side.
7 On Your Side reviewed the rental policy. Technically the management company was not in violation of any of the lease terms, but instead of going with the rules, they went with what was right.
The property manager immediately released the funds.
"I have the check that was deposited $1,800 and sent overnight," she said. "After weeks of fighting and going back and forth in circles, waiting in front of the apartment in the rain."
The money will go toward Veronica's final resting place and toward a headstone with angel wings.
"I want to thank you so much. It's nice to see people with hearts and compassion. I will be utilizing that support because my heart is shattered," Inverdale said.
"This was made possible by 7 On Your Side. You really stand by the title, we really felt like you guys were on our side," Benitez said.
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