Officers are searching for the man they say struck and killed three people while they were trying to change a flat tire on Interstate 635 in Dallas early Sunday morning.
Police said not only did Jesus Chavarria-Vasquez, the driver of the vehicle that hit them, abandon the scene, but he left his truck with his injured 12-year-old son inside.
Dallas police officers were dispatched to the 3200 block of I-635 around 3:30 a.m.
Investigations revealed that a gray, 2005 Rav 4 was disabled on the eastbound side of the highway. Three of its passengers were standing outside of the car, attempting to fix a flat tire.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner identified the three people killed Sunday as 22-year-old Hieu Doan, 23-year-old David Nguyen and 23-year-old Christopher Pham.
Doan was one month away from celebrating his 23rd birthday.
"He was really smart," said his sister Tammy Doan. "He had so much potential in him."
His family said the Garland native was driving eastbound on I-635 in Dallas with a group of friends after they went to a concert when his SUV had a flat tire.
As they attempted to fix the flat, police said Chavarria-Vasquez's Chevy Silverado that was traveling eastbound struck and killed all three passengers who were standing outside and also injured two people who were sitting inside the Rav 4.
"Our whole family, his friends, we all love him so much," Doan's mother said in Vietnamese. "He's so young. He had a lot ahead of him."
One of the people still inside the Rav 4 was transported to an area hospital with severe injuries, while police interviewed the other and took them to a local hospital.
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Officers said Chavarria-Vasquez fled the scene on foot. Police are continuing to look for him.
His 12-year-old son was transported to a local hospital and reunited with his mother. Police did not say if he sustained severe injuries.
Doan said her big brother earned a dual bioengineering degree from the University of Texas at Dallas last year.
He wanted to become a pharmacy technician and build prosthetic limbs, she said.
"Everyone loved him," she said. "He's a little dorky. That's what makes him like, probably the reason why. He's really helpful. He loves volunteering."
The Doan family credited their Buddhist faith for their ability to withstand their loss and send this message to Chavarria-Vasquez.
"We're pretty forgiving. We're not going to get mad at you for that," Tammy Doan said. "Please turn yourself in. We're not mad."
When located, Chavarria-Vasquez will be charged with manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid, police said.
According to police, Chavarria-Vasquez also has a black 2008 Cadillac with a Texas license plate JZS0584 and may also be driving a white work van.
If you have any information regarding this incident or suspect Jesus Chavarria-Vasquez, please contact Vehicle Crimes Detective Jackson at 214- 671-0009.
A Facebook fundraiser was started Sunday to help Doan's family with unforeseen expenses.
NBC 5's Holley Ford contributed to this report.
