Alicia Roman

Yearbook photograph of Roman (2012).

**Alicia Beverly Roman** (November 17, 1993 - January 10, 2016) was a Perrennial college student and restaurant worker.

Roman was killed in a car collision in early 2016. A man had been texting while driving, causing him to run a red light. He was tried for Roman's death, but found not guilty as texting and driving was not a punishable offense at the time. This led Roman's sister, Michelle, to sue the Perrennial Department of Transportation.

Today, the event of Roman's death is viewed as a national tragedy in Perrennia, and has left a profound impact on the nation's law and culture. Roman is viewed most often as an icon and a martyr.

# Life

## Early life

Roman was born in Cabana in late 1993, to parents Beverly and Mark Roman. She had an older sister, Michelle (born 1989), and an older brother, Quincy (born 1992).

The Romans were a rather low income family and lived in a small apartment near Cabana's main train station. Her father had been permanently disabled fighting in the Perrennial revolution; he lost both his legs. With such he was unable to find employment. Instead, Roman's mother worked two jobs to provide for the family.

Nonetheless, the Roman children seemed to make the best of their living situation. Despite being the youngest, Alicia is described as having been the leader amongst her siblings. She also is typically noted as having had the most vivid imagination of the three. During her formative years, it is said that Alicia took up hobby after hobby, eventually finding a love for soccer.

## Schooling and sports

Many of Roman's former teachers have described her as having been a trouble-maker in school, mainly due to an over-active imagination and/or lack of focus (since her death it has been speculated that Alicia may have suffered from ADHD). Despite this, she was seen as "good natured" and received average grades.

Alicia was an outgoing individual and had many friends in school, and, as her family would recount, a multitude of boyfriends and crushes too. A recurring joke among her siblings and friends would be guessing Alicia's "boy of the week". With her relationships, rumors about her sex life became widespread in higher grades, however this has been since written off as typical gossip and teasing and rarely seemed to phase Roman, according to friends.

Roman, always a sports fan, joined her school's football team in the 9th grade and quickly became a star player, drawing community attention. Roman played for 3 years, stopping for senior year to focus on her part-time position at a local BeverageVille. As of 2024, Roman still holds the South Capitol High School record for most goals scored by a single player in women's football.

## College years

Roman was accepted into Cabana University in 2012 with majors in English literature and journalism. She planned to attend for four years. During her college years, she kept her job at BeverageVille.

Academically, Roman performed poorly in college. The disparity between her high school and college grades have always been subject of public interest and scrutiny, as there had been no outward emotional/mental shifts in Roman during her time in college. However, her sister Michelle has posited that Alicia was simply unhappy with her major and wanted to pursue a career in sports. Michelle claims that Roman had flirted with the idea of changing majors, however she had stuck with literature and writing, fearing lack of success and financial stability as a full time football player. Conspiracy theorists however, deny the claims of Michelle Roman, speculating that Alicia likely would have had no doubts in her own abilities, pointing to her successful high school football career and her public perception as someone known to always "dream big" as evidence.

# Death

*See main article: Death of Alicia Roman*

# Legacy

Because of Roman's death, and the court case that followed, both Hasbana and Perrennia have made use of handheld electronics while driving a felony. Daniel Mendoza, Roman's killer, was re-tried and found guilty in early 2017.

Public opinion towards Alicia Roman has always been largely sympathetic. In Perrennia, she is hailed as a national figure. On January 10, 2020, the fourth anniversary of her death, a statue of Roman with dedication was inducted in her honor by President Barry Goldsmith, in the Heroes Walkway of Business Gardens Park.

Multiple biographies for Roman have been published, and a film based off her life, death, and trial, titled *The Romans*, is set to be released in August 2020.