Young father killed in hit-and-run accident just before first Christmas with newborn
A young father has been killed in a devastating hit-and-run accident in the US state of California just as he was preparing to spend his first Christmas with his newborn baby.
Christina Yanez told NBC4 that her 21-year-old son Michael had his life ahead of him, even becoming a parent for the second time just weeks before he was killed.
The incident happened on November 30 when the man was struck by two vehicles as he was crossing 8th Street near San Antonio Avenue in Upland.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.His mother is now hoping the people behind the two cars come forward. However, she said she was thankful for the good Samaritan who came forward and stayed with her son until the very last moment.
“[It’s] the human thing to do, I mean, once we saw that it was a body, it was just instinct,” Javier Contreras, the good Samaritan who stayed with Michael until his last breath, said.
It was a heartbreaking moment that Contreras can’t forget after he said he and his wife witnessed the aftermath of someone being struck by two cars and, without hesitation, ran to the victim, who was still alive and breathing.
“I was talking to him. I was telling him you know it’s OK, relax, help’s on the way. I prayed with them,” he said.
Cardenas said the victim got hit twice and said that if the first driver who struck the young father had stopped, it may have saved his life.
“If they would have stopped, even if it was two minutes, maybe two minutes could have saved his life,” said Cardenas.
On Thursday, Upland detectives released images of the two cars they say are connected to the hit-and-run of the 21-year-old man.
The department said both vehicles should have at least moderate front-end damage. It also said several witnesses were at the scene and surveillance video was available.
The Yanez family is seeking answers to the tragedy before laying him to rest.
Police said one of the two vehicles is a white Jeep, and the make and model of the other vehicle are still unclear. They said they have surveillance footage but are not releasing it yet as the hit-and-run investigation continues.
