A man who was trying to help a driver who'd run out of gas was struck and killed by a car in Lauderhill late Wednesday night, authorities said.
Lauderhill Police officials said the incident happened just after 11 p.m. on State Road 7 between Northwest 26th Street and 24th Street.
According to police, 42-year-old Erick Veilleux, had stopped his car in the northbound lanes of State Road 7 to assist another driver who was stranded.
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While attempting to cross the roadway from the gas station with fuel for the stranded motorist, Veilleux was struck by a white Honda, police said.
Veilleux was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The driver of the Honda stayed at the scene. Police said speed may be a factor in the incident, which remains under investigation.
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Mercedez Williamson says her husband was known for helping people in their time of need.
"That was just his heart. He just goes beyond to help others," she said.
His father-in-law says the family is in a state of shock.
"Feels like I’m in a dream and keep wanting to wake up from it. Expect him to come home from work, walk in like he always does, 'hey how you doing old man?' I’ll be waiting on that this evening," father-in-law Raymond Williamson said.
Veilleux and his wife had just celebrated their third wedding anniversary and moved into a new house.
"A new house, a new journey, just changes. He got a new job. I got a new job," Williamson said. "We both loved our jobs, so just a new beginning."
Veilleux was a crane operator at a recycling plant but had dreams of becoming a police officer. Bur most of all, Williamson said her husband was a great dad and her hero.
"Erick was an amazing man. He was an amazing father," she said. "He was a good friend, a good supporter."
