Community Commends Good Samaritan Killed in Roadside Wreck
By: Morgan Bond
Updated: February 14, 2012
Raul Perez was trying to help a fellow driver when he was struck and killed Sunday night. It happened along Interstate 20 in Clyde. Perez, a truck driver from Ft. Worth, saw a crash had occurred during Sunday's winter storm, and stopped to help. News of this roadside accident saddened Abilene residents who heard the news.
"I think it's horrible that something happen to him and he was just trying to do something good," said Brandy Booher, "I think it's really sad that he passed away, trying to be a good Samaritan."
According to Clyde Police, Perez was in the middle of assisting a person who'd crashed when another vehicle crashed into a car that Perez was standing next to, killing him. Abilene Police say Perez's act of kindness was helpful, but that good Samaritans need to be cautious.
"If they can't protect themselves in the midst of helping others, how are they going to help others," said Officer George Spindler.
Spindler says one of the best ways people can protect themselves and help others in dangerous situations is to be the best witness.
"Be the best observer," Spindler said, "So that they can see what's going on and report accurately what's going on to the police, so they can report that information to EMS and the Fire Department."
If you want to get out of your car and help, Spindler says it's important to keep your vehicle out of the main roadway traffic.
"They don't want to find themselves unintentionally becoming part of the problem," Spindler said.
But people like Brandy says what happened to Perez shows how caring our community is, and still feels it's important to go out of your way to help other people.
"Karma will come back to bite you. If you're ugly, someone else will be ugly to you," Booher said.
"I think it's horrible that something happen to him and he was just trying to do something good," said Brandy Booher, "I think it's really sad that he passed away, trying to be a good Samaritan."
According to Clyde Police, Perez was in the middle of assisting a person who'd crashed when another vehicle crashed into a car that Perez was standing next to, killing him. Abilene Police say Perez's act of kindness was helpful, but that good Samaritans need to be cautious.
"If they can't protect themselves in the midst of helping others, how are they going to help others," said Officer George Spindler.
Spindler says one of the best ways people can protect themselves and help others in dangerous situations is to be the best witness.
"Be the best observer," Spindler said, "So that they can see what's going on and report accurately what's going on to the police, so they can report that information to EMS and the Fire Department."
If you want to get out of your car and help, Spindler says it's important to keep your vehicle out of the main roadway traffic.
"They don't want to find themselves unintentionally becoming part of the problem," Spindler said.
But people like Brandy says what happened to Perez shows how caring our community is, and still feels it's important to go out of your way to help other people.
"Karma will come back to bite you. If you're ugly, someone else will be ugly to you," Booher said.
