BAKERSFIELD, CA - Family and friends say the pedestrian hit and killed this week, 26-year-old Jesus Apolinar Rios-Gallegos, was a husband and father of a sick little girl.
He worked two jobs to support his family, and loved ones say loss leaves a tremendous void in the hearts of his daughter and wife.
It was a sight Zicri Sanchez never thought he would see.
"It was terrible, the worst feeling I ever got," said Sanchez, Gallegos's brother.
The accident happened Tuesday morning at the intersection of Wilson Road and Westholme Boulevard. Bakersfield Police said Gallegos was out for his morning run when he was hit by 29-year-old Eliseo Soto, who police said fell asleep at the wheel while driving home from a 12-hour shift at work.
"You know, it just felt so unreal because I was just talking to him the night before," said Alejandro Rodriguez, Gallegos's roommate.
Friends said Gallegos was a husband and father of a four-year-old epileptic daughter, Bella.
"She's going to grow up without a dad, and no child should go through that," said Xzavian Tatum.
Gallegos worked two jobs at Chili's and Tahoe Joe's to buy Bella the medicine she needs.
"They are so full of life, but when they're gone it just leaves like this big piece missing in the world," said Rodriguez.
The family is hoping to set up a GoFundMe.com account for Gallegos's wife and daughter in the next few days.
As for the driver, police say Soto could face charges of vehicular manslaughter.