MCCLELLAN PARK, Calif. — The wife and children of William Hester, 73, are thanking the community and law enforcement for their help in leading to the arrest of a suspect for the deadly hit-and-run crash on October 1.
William was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He and his wife, Debora, were on their way to a dentist appointment at a VA clinic when the driver of a silver Toyota truck barreled towards them.
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Hester pushed his wife out of the way before being struck by the vehicle. He has been hailed a hero by law enforcement and his family.
“My husband saved my life," Debora Hester told ABC10. "He pushed me and took the brunt of the truck.”
The suspected driver of the pickup, identified as 70-year-old William Beasley of Antelope, took off after hitting William, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
“And I will forever feel the loss," Debora said. "He was a good man.”
The CHP arrested Beasley on Saturday. He is facing charges of manslaughter and hit-and-run, and is expected to appear in Sacramento County Court on October 8.
William's family told ABC10 they will appear in court to face the accused killer.
The family is also bringing attention to the area where their loved one was killed. They would like to see a crosswalk installed in the area so this doesn't happen again.
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