Ahmed Habib Dwabe left an unforgettable impact on the lives of those around him, according to his family and friends. The 18-year-old was fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver when he stopped to help at the scene of an accident on I-35W in south Fort Worth early Friday, Sept. 18, police say.
Family photo
Ahmed Habib Dwabe only lived to be 18 years old, but he left an unforgettable impact on the lives of those around him, according to his family and friends.
The teen was fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver when he stopped to help at the scene of an accident early Friday in south Fort Worth. Sergio Escorza, 27, was arrested and faces an intoxication manslaughter charge, police said.
Family friend Sonya Espinoza said Dwabe was always in tune with the things that really matter in life.
“His true character, his heart, his nature is just genuine,” Espinoza said. “It’s unique. So I’m definitely blessed to have him in my life. I’m blessed that I’ve known him for his short 18 years.”
According to Espinoza, Dwabe’s love for others was evident early on. At age 9 he decided to let his curly hair grow long so he could donate it to cancer patients. In 2019, Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV reported on the family’s battle with Joshua ISD officials, who said the long locks violated the district’s grooming policy.
“That came from his heart,” Espinoza said. “That was his idea to donate to some of these kids.”
Dwabe graduated from Joshua High School in May. Teacher Ki Jamal said in an open Facebook post that the teen was near to her heart. Even when he was no longer in her class, he would come by the room just to visit.
“If you knew Habib, you knew a good day,” Jamal said in the post. “He taught us all to smile a little bigger, laugh a little harder, and to live each day to the fullest.”
Dwabe, who was raised in the Islamic faith, always tried to live out his religion, according to Espinoza. After his death, Dwabe’s friends came forward to share how he’d impacted them. Both his funeral service in Arlington and his burial service at the Al-Rawdah Cemetery in Joshua were packed with people.
The 18-year-old’s mother, Faye Abunijmeh, said in an open Facebook post that her son changed her life.
“You and your friends stopped to help,” Abunijmeh said. “I will seek justice for the irresponsible drunk driver.”
Police have said that Dwabe and a group of friends were driving on I-35W about 2:30 a.m. when they passed the scene of a crash. They parked on the left shoulder of the highway and walked back to help the victims.
A green pickup truck traveling southbound slammed into the car involved in the original accident, according to police, and then hit Dwabe. The 18-year-old died at the scene.
Sergio Escorza, the pickup’s driver, is currently being held in the Tarrant County Jail on a $15,000 bond. It’s not clear if he’s obtained an attorney to represent him.
Espinoza said Dwabe was well liked by everyone wherever he went.
“It’s just, you know, an honor to have been able to know him,” she said.
This story was originally published September 19, 2026 at 9:41 PM.
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Harriet Ramos covers crime and other breaking news for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.