SAN ANTONIO – The family of Jimmy O'Neill, who was killed while trying to stop a thief from stealing his car during a pizza delivery, spoke publicly about his death Friday afternoon.
Surrounded by three generations of O'Neills, matriarch Edna O'Neill shared a happy memory of her only son.
"He had jokes," said Edna. "In fact, I said we ought to go on a show together, he and I, and we'd probably make a lot of money."
She said the past 24-36 hours has been a blur, after she was woken up early Thursday morning to learn Jimmy, 46, was killed during a pizza delivery.
Police said O'Neill was making a delivery for Papa John's at the DeZavala Oaks apartments Wednesday night and left the engine on in his car.
When he returned, a Hispanic man in his 20s was in the driver's seat. Somehow, during an attempt to recover his car, O'Neill was fatally run over by the vehicle.
"(The suspect) ran over him and then pushed him," said Edna. "They took a life and they didn't have to. It's just crazy."
"It's very difficult for all of us because the person who killed him, essentially, saw him as someone who was disposable," said Christie Stolle, Jimmy's niece. "He was so funny and so kind and so thoughtful and no matter what happens to that person who did that, we can never get him back."
The family said they can forgive the person responsible but still want them caught and punished for what he did. The family continued Jimmy's giving spirit by donating his organs, including his corneas, to help others.