{"id":4550,"date":"2026-06-30T12:05:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T12:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=4550"},"modified":"2026-06-30T12:05:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T12:05:17","slug":"running-was-his-life-parents-of-man-killed-in-nc-hit-and-run-create-foundation-to-help-young-runners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=4550","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Running was his life\u2019: Parents of man killed in NC hit-and-run create foundation to help young runners"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) \u2014 This Pride Month, the Charlotte community is remembering Lance Sotelo, a known Queens University track star and member of the LGBTQ community.<\/p>

Read more Celebrate America\u2019s 250th: Exciting Independence Day festivities across the Triangle<\/a><\/p>\n

He\u00a0was killed in a hit-and-run earlier this year<\/strong> in Charlotte. In the wake of that tragedy, his family and loved ones are working to keep his legacy alive.<\/p>\n

\u201cAuthentic, joyful, just full of life,\u201d said James Holt, Lance\u2019s partner. \u201cHe was a one-of-a-kind person.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Lance Sotelo and his partner James Holt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Those qualities are what Lance\u2019s partner says helped him shine on and off the track. He was a decorated cross-country and track-and-field runner.<\/p>\n

\u201cRunning was his life, his hobby,\u201d said Holt.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also what Lance was doing when he died. He was involved in a hit-and-run near the intersection of The Plaza and East 36th Street on January 14. Investigators say the driver was speeding and ran a red light.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt was just such a major blow to all of us,\u201d said Holt.<\/p>\n

A permanent memorial now sits at the street corner. It features a rainbow-knitted covering on the crosswalk post and a photo of Lance, with a note on the back that reads \u201crun fast forever\u201d.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u201cWe had big dreams for Lance,\u201d said his mom, Jeanne Sotelo. \u201cWe knew he was going to be something important and somebody important one day. And I feel like we felt the need to carry on his impact, like the impact that he made on other people.\u201d<\/p>

Read more Indonesia sentences Gojek founder to 10 years for graft over procurement of school laptops<\/a><\/p>\n

So his mom and dad, Jesus Sotelo, started Lance\u2019s Legacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can never be Lance and we can never be like Lance, but we can do something that would help people the way Lance did,\u201d said Jeanne.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a foundation giving scholarships to help young runners achieve their dreams. The Sotelos gave out the first one last month.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s more about remembering his life rather than what happened at his death and just giving opportunity to students and young runners,\u201d said Holt.<\/p>\n

Looking for more positive news in your day? Check out The Bright Side \u2600\ufe0f<\/strong><\/p>\n

His parents say running is what gave Lance his confidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt saved him,\u201d said Jeanne. \u201cI mean it really did. He was a young boy who in elementary school realized he was gay, but he did not feel comfortable coming out until he was older and that really didn\u2019t happen until he had started running.\u201d<\/p>\n

To raise money for the foundation, \u00a0Lance\u2019s parents will host their first 5K\u00a0and fun run this fall on Lance\u2019s birthday, October 3, in his hometown of Dalton, Georgia.<\/p>

Read more Supreme Court rules constitutional privacy protections apply to cellphone users\u2019 location history<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — This Pride Month, the Charlotte community is remembering Lance Sotelo, a known Queens University track star and member of the LGBTQ community. He was killed in a hit-and-run earlier this year in Charlotte. 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