Paul Hernandez, 43, joins a growing list of pedestrians killed crossing Arizona streets.
Paul was crossing Northern mid-block when he was hit by Kevin Murphy who was behind the wheel of a pickup truck.
“Paul doesn’t usually take the main streets to cross,” his bother Mark Hernandez said. “Usually he takes 55th Avenue alongside and uses the crosswalk all the time.”
Paul’s brother describes him as a “gentle giant.” The pair attended church together and were apart of the Knights of Columbus.
“We grew up together,” Mark said. “It was the biggest shock; I just didn’t want to believe it.”
In 2016, 197 pedestrians were killed in Arizona and hundreds more were hurt.
Police are continuing to urge drivers to stay alert and now Hernandez too echoes that plea.
“Watch for pedestrians. There are people all over the streets and sidewalks that need to get places,” he said.
Murphy is in jail, charged with several hit-and-run offenses.
Police are awaiting his impairment test results to learn if he was under the influence when the crash happened.
