LAWRENCE, Mass. — Friday marks one year since the Merrimack Valley gas explosions devastated the Andover, Lawrence, and North Andover communities.
Ceremonies are being held in the communities to mark the occasion and honor 18-year-old Leonel Rondon who was killed that day.
Community leaders joined the Rondon family at a greenway off Lawrence's Chestnut Street, which is now Leonel Rondon Square.
Rondon's sister told Boston 25 News, "We feel just emptiness this sadness this pain that is killing us inside," said Lucianny Rondon.
Today, we remember Leonel Rondon. After just getting his driver's license, the explosion of a home caused a chimney to fall on his car and he did not survive. Our hearts go out to his family and the Lawrence community as they remember the young life taken too soon. #boston25 pic.twitter.com/385ekJwAtR
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) September 13, 2019
Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, Governor Charlie Baker, Senator Ed Markey, and Rep. Lori Trahan all spoke at the ceremony.
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