HOUSTON — The Resendez family is grieving the loss of their loved one Ricardo Resendez Jr., who was killed in a car crash Saturday afternoon. The driver involved was a Precinct 6 deputy constable who is now out of a job.
Ricardo, known as Ricky by friends and family, was 28 years old. As his family grieves, neighbors who live in the area hope what happened can spark change along the street where the accident happened.
Antonio Briones lives on the same street as Ricky and was on his way to the store Saturday afternoon when the crash happened right behind his home.
“I heard a crash, and I pulled up to the street to kind of get an idea of what was going on. I saw two vehicles that were impacted,” Briones said.
He said when he got out of his car, he was shocked at who he saw.
“I noticed that a fully dressed officer was there. So, my mind, I thought it was a first responder and what surprised me the most was that he was the one driving the white SUV,” Briones said.
That driver was identified by the Harris County Precinct 6 Constable’s Office as off-duty deputy Rigo Vivar. According to HPD, Vivar was driving the wrong way on Canal Street at the time of the wreck.
Briones said he and another witness tried to help afterward.
“I started trying to rip the door to try and see if we can get him," Briones said. "Started ripping the windshield off and just small cuts right here from the glass, but he was gone.”
Briones said he was in disbelief when he realized it was his neighbor, Ricky, inside the car.
“That's when I went to come and try to inform the family because I wanted to make sure that it was not him,” Briones said.
Monday, the Harris County Precinct 6 Constables Office shared its condolences with the Resendez family. Meanwhile, Briones hopes this can spark some change for a road he says is no stranger to speeding.
“We need some sort of deterrence right here on Canal Street. It's a two-way street," Briones said. "It's not the first time I'm seeing vehicles driving by and going high speed. So, speed bumps, extra lights, anything to deter this type of situation from happening again.”
Houston police are still investigating and it's still unknown whether Vivar will face any charges.
Ricky’s family created a GoFundMe to help with funeral arrangements.