AUSTIN, Texas — The family of a victim in an East Austin hit-and-run is speaking out, as the Austin Police Department still searches for the driver wanted in connection with his death.

• Driver struck and killed 29-year-old Jonathan Deleon
• Happened in front of the Bucket’s Sports Bar
• Incident marks Austin’s 55th fatal traffic crash of 2018

Austin police said around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, October 10, a driver struck and killed Jonathan Deleon, 29, who standing near the back of a car on East Cesar Chavez and Elkhart Streets.

“[He was a] real humble, happy guy. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was one of them guys who just wanted to work and make things happen for his family,” said John Hernandez, victim’s father.

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The incident happened in front of the Bucket’s sports bar. His family said he was having a going away party there. Deleon planned on traveling to Alaska later that day to work with his father.

“For the past four days it’s been like, it’s been a dream,” Hernandez said. “Now since I’ve come out, it’s like really hit me now, this is like reality now and it’s hard to see this.”

Hernandez grew up in East Austin and said he remembers when the roads around the neighborhood were not so busy. He now wants to see improvements to street safety.

“These guys are going 40, 50 mph on Cesar Chavez,” Hernandez said. “We have to do something about this and it’s going to be done. I’m going to fight for this, speed bumps, whatever I [have] to do to make somebody else safe. Because I hate to see somebody else’s blood stain in the middle of the street.”

Deleon’s family is planning his funeral for later this week. The incident marks Austin’s 55th fatal traffic crash of 2018, compared to 50 during the same time last year. The Austin Police Department is asking any businesses in the area of East Cesar Chavez and Adam L. Chapa Senior Streets to check their surveillance cameras between 2:00 a.m. and 2:10 a.m. CT on October 10, 2018, for the suspect vehicle.

“I just want you to turn yourself in, so I can be at peace, so I can relax,” Hernandez said. “Right now I have no peace.”

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the APD Vehicular Homicide Unit Detectives at 512-974-5576.