SAN ANTONIO – Two people died and another other person suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash Saturday on Interstate 10 near West Avenue.
One of the victims, Arturo Elias, died at the scene while helping one of the victims with her stalled SUV.
"He was a hero to me and my children," his wife, Michelle, said.
Elias was a father of three and a war veteran who served two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Marines.
On Monday, a wreath hung in the South San High School graduate's honor outside his parents' home.
Elias loved baseball and coached Little League, but his dream was to return to South San to coach the Bobcats.
"I'm going to miss him being there, coaching kids, giving them words of advice," his wife said.
Elias spent much of his time fixing up a home for his family. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service.
Although Elias' wife of 15 years will never know why he decided to be a good Samaritan, she understands his desire to protect and serve.
San Antonio police investigators said the woman Elias stopped to help, Concepcion Rodriguez, was also struck by the unidentified driver of a 2014 silver Ford Fusion. Rodriguez died Sunday at University Hospital. A third person was also struck by the Fusion and transported with life-threatening injuries.
The former Marine's wife is grateful for family and friends from around the world who have reached out to her during her difficult time. She vows to complete the work on the home they recently purchased.
Police continue to investigate the crash. SAPD has not said if intoxication was a factor for any of the drivers involved or if any criminal charges are pending.