A 29-year-old Dallas comedian was killed in a hit-and-run collision early Saturday morning, according to Dallas Police.
Dallas Comedian Henry Cruz
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Around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday, police responded to a major crash near Elm Street and the I-345 Ramp W.
A preliminary inquiry revealed that a car struck the victim before departing the site. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.
The victim’s name was Henry Jose Cruz, 29. Cruz, according to his friends, was a local comic on his way home from a gig when the attack occurred.
Friends describe incident
Amelia Jones of Fox 4 spoke with two of Cruz’s buddies who were strolling with him that night. According to reports, the group made it across the street before the vehicle jumped the curb and collided with Cruz.
According to Sagan Butler, it started out as a usual Friday night.
“We had a show at Shark’s Comedy Club,” she said.
Following the show, the group of pals strolled up to Elm Street to get an Uber. When the sidewalk ended, they chose to cross the I-345 exit ramps.
“We went to cross the street… and as we did a car came out of nowhere down the exit ramp, going extremely fast,” said Butler.
Butler claims the group safely crossed the roadway, then the car swerved and jumped the curb onto the median. Police spray-painted orange lines on the grass to indicate the cars’ paths.
The car that hit Cruz sped away. The only description they could provide to police was a dark-colored car.
Local perspective: Noah Robertson, the proprietor of Shark’s Comedy Club, says they immediately called 911 and began CPR until paramedics arrived, but Cruz died in the hospital.
“When I noticed the car coming right at us, I tried to yell to my friends, ‘Hey, a car’s coming’. Soon as I was able to open my mouth to say anything, it was too late, the car was already right there on us,” said Robertson.
“I really wish we had more information to give the police, but it literally happened so fast.”
Remembering Cruz
The 29-year-old is recalled as a cheerful, optimistic, and generous buddy.
Cruz’s best friend of sixteen years, Angel Hernandez, told FOX 4 that he was always smiling.
“He has a big energy, he lights up the whole room. He was the light at the end of the tunnel to me,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez had to break the news to Cruz’s mother. Cruz, he adds, was her only son.
“Painful, devastated, heartbroken,” he said.
The friends hope that the police can locate the motorist or that the driver will turn themself in.
“This person should definitely come forward and turn themselves in. I do not know how you could sleep at night,” said Robertson.
Until then, they want people to spread happiness the way Cruz did.
“Don’t forget him. Just keep laughing, keep smiling, make the jokes, he wants us to, for sure,” said Butler.
What’s next: Cruz’s memorial concert will be performed at Shark’s Comedy Club on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m., to honor his life and raise funds for his family.
There is an internet fundraising campaign for his family. It has already raised more than $7500.
