Houston father killed while protecting son after 18-wheeler rams into 5 cars
18-wheeler wanted in deadly hit and run crash
The family of a Houston father, hit and killed by an 18-wheeler is sharing their pain with FOX 26 about what happened.
A tragic hit-and-run
What we know:
HOUSTON - Francisco Medellin was killed when the driver of an 18-wheeler hit his car along with four others that were stopped at a red light. His family is pleading for information on the truck and driver as they mourn the loss of a loving son, brother and father.
It happened at 11400 South Sam Houston Parkway East service road and Sabo Road intersection around 7:10 p.m. on Friday.
Houston police say the 18-wheeler rammed into the four cars then took off. They posted a video of the wanted vehicle. It’s an 18-wheeler with a white cab and a flat trailer on the back of the truck.
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A father's sacrifice
What family is saying:
Medellin’s family wishes to remain anonymous at this time, but they tell us Medellin’s 9-year-old son was in the car with him. They say when the crash happened, Medellin covered his son from the impact, likely saving him. The child is now out of the hospital and safe, according to family.
"I’m hurt, I’m in pain. This is my baby, he’s the youngest of the three kids I have," said Medellin’s mom. We aren’t disclosing her name currently for privacy reasons.
"But I forgive him [the driver] and I hope and pray that he turns himself in. That maybe, my son’s death will turn his life around, and he will change his ways and ask God to forgive him for what he’s done," she said.
His family says that Medellin was a hard worker who put in long hours daily to save money for his son’s college fund. They say he was a ‘one of a kind’ and made an impact on anyone he came into contact with.
Multiple people were taken to the hospital the night of this crash, one woman in critical condition. Police have yet to update her condition.
What you can do:
Anyone with information on the vehicle or its driver is urged to contact the HPD Hit and Run Unit at 713-247-4072 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
The Source: Houston Police and the family of Francisco Medellin.