The 8-year-old boy killed in a hit-and-run incident in Brownwood on Saturday afternoon has been identified by family members as Daylan “DaeDae” Donnell Franklin.
“He was so loving, caring, and helpful,” the boy’s uncle told KTAB/KRBC. “His heart was big and he was always happy. We will always and forever miss our DaeDae so much.”
The boy’s teacher also shared he was well-liked in school. “He was a sweet, sweet boy. Always smiling and happy. He was full of questions, his face so pure, waiting for the answers.”
A witness at the scene explained the driver left after first responders arrived, before he could be identified to police.
“The car was there and damaged heavily,” said the witness, who called 911 and began CPR. “I remember EMS taking over, as I walked away (the officer) asked if I knew what car was involved. I turned to show him the car, and it was gone.”
Samuel Juarez, 34, was later located by police and arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter, a Second Degree Felony.
Juarez has multiple charges listed in his arrest record, including Driving While Intoxicated in 2001, Driving While Intoxicated in 2002, Public Intoxication in 2003, Fleeing the Scene of an Accident in 2003, Driving While Intoxicated in 2006, Driving While Intoxicated in 2011, Driving while License Invalid in 2012.
A member of the police department stated, “This was completely preventable. Do not drink and drive. A family is suffering and devastated tonight because of someone’s bad decision.”
| DWI/BROWN COUNTY COURT | 12/29/2001 | 12/29/2001 | $2,000.00 | A-ACTION BAIL BONDS-BROWNWOOD |
| DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED/BROWN COUNTY COURT | 03/30/2002 | 03/30/2002 | $2,000.00 | A-ACTION BAIL BONDS-BROWNWOOD |
| PUBLIC INTOXICATION/BROWNWOOD MUNICIPAL COURT | 05/17/2003 | 05/17/2003 | $400.00 | A-ACTION BAIL BONDS-BROWNWOOD |
| FLEEING SCENE ACCIDENT/BROWN COUNTY COURT@LAW | 10/04/2003 | 10/04/2003 | $2,000.00 | A-ACTION BAIL BONDS-BROWNWOOD |
| DWI 2ND/BROWN COUNTY COURT | 01/09/2006 | 01/09/2006 | $5,000.00 | A-ACTION BAIL BONDS-BROWNWOOD |
| DWI 2ND/BROWN CO CRT | 06/12/2011 | 06/13/2011 | $3,000.00 | A-ACTION BAIL BONDS-BROWNWOOD |
| DRIVING W/LIC INV W/PREV CONV/SUSP/W/O FIN RES | 02/16/2012 | 02/17/2012 | $1,500.00 | A-ACTION BAIL BONDS-BROWNWOOD |
| INTOX MANS W/VEHICLE/35TH DISTRICT COURT | 12/17/2016 | $0.00 | ||
| ACCIDENT INVOLVING DEATH/35TH DISTRICT COURT | 12/17/2016 | $0.00 |
Previous press release from the Brownwood PD:
On Saturday, December 17, 2016, at approximately 3:15 p.m., emergency responders from the Brownwood Police Department, Brownwood Fire Department and Lifeguard Ambulance Service responded to the 1600 block of 6th Street regarding a report of a child being struck by a vehicle.
First responders determined that an 8 year old male child had been struck by a vehicle and the vehicle had fled the scene.
The child was transported to the Brownwood Regional Medical Center by Lifeguard Ambulance Service in critical condition. Despite resuscitation efforts by hospital medical staff, the child was pronounced deceased at 4:11 p.m.
The suspect vehicle which had fled the scene was located several blocks away. After an investigation, the driver, a 34 year old Brownwood resident, was identified and subsequently arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter, a Second Degree Felony and Failure to Stop and Render Aid, also a Second Degree Felony.
The Brownwood Police Department Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation and is being assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The investigation is still ongoing.
