Brothers Consider Future Without Sibling Killed In Car Accident

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - The American dream, as well as a profoundly personal dream, is still within reach for two Twin Cities brothers mourning the death of their younger sibling.

Medard Prosper was killed on the Mendota Bridge last week. One of his tires blew out, and he tried getting out of his car while it was still moving. Medard fell on the ground and got run over by his rear tire.

"First of all, I think the hardest part is to lose him, because I can say he was everything," said Issa Prosper.

Issa isn't sure why Medard would get out of the car at such a high speed.  And while relatives are mourning the death, they're also reflecting on Medard's life and how to honor him.

Usually Issa can find a lot of good things to say about his brother. Medard was smart, athletic and thoughtful. But finding those words today certainly isn't easy.

"He can't talk about it. It's too painful," said Issa's translator.

Pain is something Issa and his family know all too well. These brothers lost their parents during Civil War in the Congo. The boys struggled to find safety and had to walk a 1,000 miles.

"We believed that perhaps we will die," said Issa. "The area was dangerous and bad, because we had like animals in the roads and stuff, so, it was up and only to God, because for us, we didn't have nothing to survive."

The boys lost two siblings on the way, before finally making it to a refugee camp in Tanzania. They got help through the United Nations to come to America.

Medard wanted to return to Africa and help people back home. His brothers now plan to do it for him.

"The idea is very good, and the family will do anything to continue with his dream," said the oldest brother, Faliala. "I was raised in that life, so I have to help the others to grow," said Issa.

It's a way to honor Medard, a young man who was living the American dream and wanted to change the world.

He was set to graduate high school this spring. College would be next, and a career in International Relations would have followed. His teacher at Highland Park Senior High School called him the most optimistic person she ever met.

A fund has been set up in honor of Prosper. You can donate to the "Medard Prosper Memorial Fund" at any U.S. Bank branch.