Crowd kills man after car hits a child - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Howdoulikemenow333 · 06-20-2007, 08:36 PM

Crowd kills man after car hits child By LIZ AUSTIN PETERSON, Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN, Texas - Police on Wednesday were pleading for witnesses to help them track down members of an angry mob that beat a man to death after the car he was riding in apparently struck and injured a child.

Investigators were struggling to piece together what happened Tuesday when David Rivas Morales died defending the driver from members of a crowd leaving a Juneteenth celebration. There could have been anywhere from two to 20 attackers, Austin Police Commander Harold Piatt said.

The car in which Morales, 40, was a passenger had entered an apartment complex's parking lot when it struck a 3- or 4-year-old child, Piatt said. The child was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver got out of the car to check on the child and was confronted by several people, Piatt said. When they attacked the driver, Morales got out of the car to protect the driver and was attacked as well. Police said no guns or knives were used.

The driver got away and is cooperating with investigators, who are not releasing his name.

Margaret Morales said a young boy came to her door to tell her that her brother was lying on the ground outside. She found David Morales, sprawled on the pavement 100 feet from her townhouse, battered and choking on blood.

She said her mother came running after hearing her screams, but police wouldn't let either of them get close to him.

Police arrived one minute after receiving a 911 call, by which time the beating had stopped, department spokeswoman Toni Chovanetz said. But the Morales family complained that medical help was slow in coming.

David Morales arrived at the hospital about 35 minutes after the 911 call was received, said Warren Hassinger, Austin-Travis County Emergency Services spokesman. Emergency officials said police ordered them to wait until the area was secure.

An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people were in the area for a city-sponsored festival for Juneteenth, which commemorates Texas slaves getting the word that they had been freed.

Several hundred people had filled the parking lot and street as the daylong festival at a nearby park ended and spilled over into the surrounding neighborhoods, said Katherine White, a Morales family friend who lives in a townhouse next door to where the beating took place.

Police said the injured child was a girl, but White said it was a boy with long hair he wears in ponytails.

Margaret Morales said her brother, who was staying with her, was a painter on his way home from work. The driver, whom she knew only as Victor, picked him up and dropped him off everyday, she said.

The Morales family remembered David as a caring brother who loved the San Antonio Spurs and was thrilled when they won the NBA title last week. Earl White, Katherine's brother, said David Morales enjoyed sitting on the porch, watching the neighborhood children play in the parking lot.

"I just want the people caught and brought to justice," another sister, Elizabeth Morales, said. "I want them to feel the same pain that they caused my brother."
-----

So whats up with these people,I'M NOT sayinh he should have took off,but he did check the child first, but these people need to be caught and soon,To wrongs don't make a right......

Mikado · 06-20-2007, 08:46 PM

THIS is why vigilanteism is illegal!

nuff said

Lee · 06-20-2007, 10:28 PM

And the driver tried to help the little girl, he wasn't going to leave her.

Mikado · 06-20-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webwarrior762004

And the driver tried to help the little girl, he wasn't going to leave her.

Exactly, its not like he ran her over deliberately (In which case you might understand the crowd's actions a little more )

catlover79 · 06-21-2007, 11:06 AM

How awful...

Mikado · 06-21-2007, 12:39 PM

It might be of little consolation to his family but, I hope the man who was killed while trying to help the driver, is awarded a civilian hero's medal; cause, he sure deserves one!

TJL · 06-21-2007, 12:46 PM

Crowded street fairs, parades and festivals are getting way to dangerous in this day and age. It seems like one thing will just set everyone off.

dakert · 06-21-2007, 01:06 PM

When I read the headline I thought this must have happened in Iraq or some other country

Corolla · 06-21-2007, 02:47 PM

What a wonderful world we live in.

Max Whittaker · 06-21-2007, 04:20 PM

I hate crowds. They are like an entirely different creature with no morals, no manners and eternally unpredictable.

I'm ashamed that this happened in my city.

Mikado · 06-21-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

I hate crowds. They are like an entirely different creature with no morals, no manners and eternally unpredictable.

I'm ashamed that this happened in my city.

Well, the man who unselfishly gave his own life to save the driver is someone your city can feel proud of.

Max Whittaker · 06-21-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

Well, the man who unselfishly gave his own life to save the driver is someone your city can feel proud of.

That's very true. I always wonder if I would do the same in a situation like that.

06-20-2007, 08:36 PM	#1
Howdoulikemenow333 I'M having a bad day Senior Member Join Date: Jul 05, 2003 Location: Later Posts: 1,263	Crowd kills man after car hits a child Crowd kills man after car hits child By LIZ AUSTIN PETERSON, Associated Press Writer AUSTIN, Texas - Police on Wednesday were pleading for witnesses to help them track down members of an angry mob that beat a man to death after the car he was riding in apparently struck and injured a child. Investigators were struggling to piece together what happened Tuesday when David Rivas Morales died defending the driver from members of a crowd leaving a Juneteenth celebration. There could have been anywhere from two to 20 attackers, Austin Police Commander Harold Piatt said. The car in which Morales, 40, was a passenger had entered an apartment complex's parking lot when it struck a 3- or 4-year-old child, Piatt said. The child was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver got out of the car to check on the child and was confronted by several people, Piatt said. When they attacked the driver, Morales got out of the car to protect the driver and was attacked as well. Police said no guns or knives were used. The driver got away and is cooperating with investigators, who are not releasing his name. Margaret Morales said a young boy came to her door to tell her that her brother was lying on the ground outside. She found David Morales, sprawled on the pavement 100 feet from her townhouse, battered and choking on blood. She said her mother came running after hearing her screams, but police wouldn't let either of them get close to him. Police arrived one minute after receiving a 911 call, by which time the beating had stopped, department spokeswoman Toni Chovanetz said. But the Morales family complained that medical help was slow in coming. David Morales arrived at the hospital about 35 minutes after the 911 call was received, said Warren Hassinger, Austin-Travis County Emergency Services spokesman. Emergency officials said police ordered them to wait until the area was secure. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people were in the area for a city-sponsored festival for Juneteenth, which commemorates Texas slaves getting the word that they had been freed. Several hundred people had filled the parking lot and street as the daylong festival at a nearby park ended and spilled over into the surrounding neighborhoods, said Katherine White, a Morales family friend who lives in a townhouse next door to where the beating took place. Police said the injured child was a girl, but White said it was a boy with long hair he wears in ponytails. Margaret Morales said her brother, who was staying with her, was a painter on his way home from work. The driver, whom she knew only as Victor, picked him up and dropped him off everyday, she said. The Morales family remembered David as a caring brother who loved the San Antonio Spurs and was thrilled when they won the NBA title last week. Earl White, Katherine's brother, said David Morales enjoyed sitting on the porch, watching the neighborhood children play in the parking lot. "I just want the people caught and brought to justice," another sister, Elizabeth Morales, said. "I want them to feel the same pain that they caused my brother." ----- So whats up with these people,I'M NOT sayinh he should have took off,but he did check the child first, but these people need to be caught and soon,To wrongs don't make a right......
	__________________ I I think I'm going crazy...Oh wait a minute I am crazy.....Crazy like a fox. Last edited by Chelsea; 06-21-2007 at 11:43 AM.

06-21-2007, 11:06 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	How awful...
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06-21-2007, 12:46 PM	#7
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Crowded street fairs, parades and festivals are getting way to dangerous in this day and age. It seems like one thing will just set everyone off.
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06-21-2007, 04:20 PM	#10
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	I hate crowds. They are like an entirely different creature with no morals, no manners and eternally unpredictable. I'm ashamed that this happened in my city.
	__________________ I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, & healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

06-20-2007, 08:46 PM	#2
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	THIS is why vigilanteism is illegal! nuff said

06-20-2007, 10:28 PM	#3
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,768	And the driver tried to help the little girl, he wasn't going to leave her.

06-21-2007, 12:39 PM	#6
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	It might be of little consolation to his family but, I hope the man who was killed while trying to help the driver, is awarded a civilian hero's medal; cause, he sure deserves one!

06-21-2007, 01:06 PM	#8
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	When I read the headline I thought this must have happened in Iraq or some other country

06-21-2007, 02:47 PM	#9
Corolla Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2006 Location: Owen Sound, ON Posts: 2,376	What a wonderful world we live in.