BUFFALO, N.Y. — It's been eight months, and Bridget Lohr says the pain is only getting worse.
"I think that aftershock subsides, the reality of it sets in, it's harder. We are grieving every second of every day. This loss is tremendous for our family," Bridget says. "I think what gets us through the day is we think of Sydney and what she would want us to. That's how we get up and keep on moving."
Bridget is Sydney Lohr's mother and decided to talk to 2 On Your Side exclusively.
It was back in July when Bridget found out her 21-year-old daughter had been hit by a car while crossing Elmwood Avenue and later died. It was a dark and rainy night when Sydney was leaving her job at Coles in Elmwood Village.
As time passes, Bridget says she does yoga to help with her pain.
Mohammed Tanbir, the driver who allegedly hit Sydney, is charged with three felony counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument.
The Erie County District Attorney accuses Tanbir of having illegally obtained exemptions to get an illegal tint on the windows of his vehicle.
The DA also says it, "did not contribute to the crash."
"It's dark out. It's raining out. Now imagine putting on a pair of dark sunglasses," says Michael O'Connor.
O'Connor is the family's attorney. He's an attorney with John Forman, Attorneys at Law. O'Connor says Tanbir also faces separate, pending charges for the illegal tints. Not the attempt to illegally obtain them.
"Your vision and your ability to see pedestrians in front of you will be impaired," O'Connor says.
The family describes Sydney as loving, studious, and certainly adventurous. So, they're turning her story into something positive.
A fundraiser in her honor is underway. Proceeds will help create a scholarship in Sydney's name at St. Lawrence University, where she went to school.
The school is also giving the family an honorary degree since Sydney was still completing her last year of school when the accident happened.