HOUSTON – A family is grieving the loss of a father and husband after he was fatally struck by a vehicle while helping a stranded driver in north Harris County Tuesday, deputies with Harris County Sheriff’s Office said.
It happened on the North Freeway and Remington Valley around 9 p.m.
According to HCSO, the victim, who was identified by family as Phillips Gardner, was trying to help his stranded mother-in-law with her disabled vehicle. He walked off the freeway to go to the gas station while waiting for a tow and on his way back, deputies said the man was struck by a woman driver. The driver stayed at the scene and is reportedly cooperating with deputies.
According to investigators, a deputy ran out to render aid and began CPR with family members while EMS was en route. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, HCSO said.
Investigators said the man’s wife witnessed the crash. The family was heading home from the victim’s nephew’s 8th birthday party when it happened.
“All he was doing was taking care of his family. Trying to be positive and take care of his family,” the victim’s wife, Tegan Gardner, told KPRC 2′s Cathy Hernandez. “He wasn’t a deadbeat. He was a very loving father. Now he’s gone.”
The victim leaves behind six children, deputies said.