Julio Vazquez. Screen capture from CBS8.
Good Samaritan Julio Vazquez, Despite Loss of House and Job Due to Injuries, “Would Do It Again”
A suspect has been arrested for the April 9 hit and run of a good Samaritan who stopped to help a couple in their disabled vehicle – on the edge of Ocean Beach. Jaron Blake Hillyer, 27, was taken into custody by San Diego police and booked into Central Jail on charges of felony hit-and-run, driving with a suspended license and no valid insurance.
Hillyer was arrested after police found his 1998 or 1999 Subaru Outback Legacy station wagon in the 4300 block of Orchard Avenue in Point Loma, based on a tip from someone.
Meanwhile, the good Samaritan, Julio Vazquez, 26, – still recovering from his serious injuries – told CBS8 he “would do it again,” and that he has no regrets for stopping to help the stranded people.
“That’s me. That’s Julio Vazquez. I would do it again,” he said. He added:
“People need help – doesn’t matter the hours, doesn’t matter the time.”
Suspect’s Subaru station wagon. Screen capture from NBC7
Vazquez, a father of two young children, had pulled over to aid the occupants of a stalled Lexus in the 2900 block of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard – just outside Ocean Beach – after midnight April 9. While he was assisting the people, a Subaru station wagon – driven by the suspect – came flying by and hit him. The Subaru didn’t stop and kept on going.
“While I was moving on the side to tell him to turn on his car, he [the suspect] hit me and flew away,” said Vazquez. He added:
“That was cold blooded what he did. I could have died at that moment.”
Vazquez was taken to UCSD Medical Center for treatment of a broken leg, road rash and internal injuries that included a collapsed lung and broken rib. He spent 5 days in the hospital and is still recovering.
Vazquez told News 8 because of the injuries, he recently lost his job and his house. Plus he has mounting medical bills. His family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for them. Check it out.
Even though he would do it again, Vazquez was understandably angry at the suspect and called him a coward. He told CBS8:
“It’s a good thing that they got him. It’s a good thing that he is not outside. …He took everything from me. He took my life from me. Yes, I am alive, but everything I build with my family, he killed it.”
The investigation is still ongoing, so SDPD has asked for anyone with information to call its station at 619-531-2000 or to call the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 888-580-8477. NBCSanDiego
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Poor guy. I hope he recovers everything he lost as swiftly as possible. At least he has some excellent karma coming his way.