In a tragic incident in Austin, Texas, young Ethan Maldonado’s life was abruptly taken when a heartless driver struck him down in a hit-and-run. The perpetrator callously fled the scene, leaving the toddler’s lifeless body on the road. However, just days later, they received an unexpected surprise.
Ethan Hernandez, while legally crossing the street with his family in East Austin, was fatally struck by a truck. His father, Carlos Hernandez, recounted the heart-wrenching moment when their lives changed forever, as the pickup failed to yield and dragged young Ethan underneath.
Despite the efforts of first responders and medical staff at Dell Children’s Medical Center, Ethan’s life could not be saved, and he was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. His body was entrusted to Affordable Burial and Cremation Service.
Robert Falcon, the owner of the funeral service, who had witnessed his fair share of tragedies, was deeply moved by Ethan’s passing. It was the sight of the young boy’s photo, soon to be displayed at his service, that prompted Falcon to take action.
Overwhelmed by emotion, Falcon, after consoling Ethan’s grieving family and preparing the child for burial, turned to social media with a powerful message directed at the person responsible for this senseless tragedy. He shared his anguish and the pain of Ethan’s family, emphasizing that such a situation should never have occurred.
Falcon received permission from Ethan’s family to post pictures of the child’s casket along with a public message to the perpetrator. His intention was clear – to show the reality of the consequences of their actions.
As days passed without an arrest, Falcon and a friend decided to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to the driver’s apprehension. Their goal was justice for Ethan and closure for his grieving family.
The community rallied behind the cause, and the search for the driver gained significant attention. It was a crucial anonymous tip from Pflugerville that led the police to a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup matching the description of the vehicle involved in the tragic incident.
Detectives traced the truck to its owner and subsequently to a man named Ramiro Escalante-Vasquez. Escalante-Vasquez, when confronted, confessed to driving the truck on the day of the accident and leaving the scene.
He was charged with “fail to stop and render aid,” a second-degree felony, with a bond set at $100,000.
The tireless efforts of Robert Falcon and the community played a pivotal role in ensuring justice for Ethan. Their dedication went above and beyond the call of duty, ultimately providing a grieving family with the closure they desperately needed.
