Marine vet hit, killed while helping driver on Interstate 10 'died a hero'
Dillon Collier, KENS 5 8:43 p.m. EDT July 18, 2016
(Photo: Dillon Collier/KENS)
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man hit and killed early Saturday morning in a chain reaction crash on Interstate 10 has been identified as retired Marine Staff Sgt. Arturo "Arty" Elias.
Elias, 35, and another man pulled over along I-10 near Vance Jackson just before 4 a.m. to help the driver of a Dodge Durango that was stalled across lanes of the highway.
Elias, the second good Samaritan and the driver of the Durango were then hit by a second vehicle, according to preliminary information provided Monday by the San Antonio Police Department.
The other good Samaritan remains in critical condition at University Hospital.
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A driver involved in the crash, 47-year-old Conception Rodriguez, died as a result of her injuries.
SAPD has not released what vehicle Rodriguez was driving.
No criminal charges have been filed in the case and SAPD detectives are still conducting their crash investigation, according to a department spokeswoman.
Elias, a father of three and 12-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, died instantly, his family confirmed.
"It's just not real. It doesn't feel real. He must have seen something really bad to have stopped," said Elias' wife Michelle, who learned of her husband's death as she traveled with one of the couple's children.
Elias family photos (Photo: Dillon Collier/KENS)
Elias received several medals and commendations during his time with the Marine Corps, including the National Defense Service Medal.
Five Diamonds Little League is planning a memorial service to remember Elias, who coached for the league.
A GoFundME page has been set up to help pay for Elias' funeral expenses.