Heroic teenage boy hit and killed by car while saving friend
A 14-year-old boy has died after he saved his friend's life by pushing him out of the way and getting hit by a car.
Ricky Rojas Jr was hit by a car and killed last Friday, while he and two of his friends were walking to a shop in Texas.
The death was confirmed by La Marque Police Department in a statement, which said police were called to the scene on Main Street at about 6.40pm on March 5 (local time).
Friend Damion Escobar was with Ricky Jr at the time and was also hit by the car, though he was able to stand after the crash.
"I think he pushed me," Damion admitted, according to KTRK.
Damion said Ricky Jr was behind him, so his friend was able to try and get him out of the way.
Two strangers came to the teenager's aid and Damion said they checked Ricky Jr's pulse and "said it was fatal", while he started panicking and struggled to breathe.
Ricky Jr's sister, Sage Rojas, has set up a GoFundMe to help the family pay for his funeral and cremation.
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"He was walking with his friends but, according to the police, due to the time of day the driver couldn’t see them," Sage wrote on the GoFundMe.
"My brother pushed his friends out of harm's way and in turn was hit."
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Ricky Jr's father, Ricky Rojas, told KTRK his son had a "heart of gold" and he meant the world to him and he was his only son.
"He put others before himself, it's so unselfish of him," Mr Rojas said.
"That's a hero if you ask me."
Damion told the news station Ricky Jr was someone he could always go to when he needed a friend.
One of Ricky Jr's teachers commented on the GoFundMe and said the 14-year-old had "great character".
"He was the type of person who would do anything for his friends," the teacher said.
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