Candice Brooks said she arrived at the intersection of Westheimer Road and Eldridge Parkway around 9:15 p.m. Sunday, just moments after a woman was hit by a car.<\/p>\n
HOUSTON \u2014 A bystander who rushed to help a woman struck in a hit-and-run crash says she is struggling to process what she witnessed \u2014 and the fact that the driver was not facing charges as of Monday night.<\/p>\n
Candice Brooks said she arrived at the intersection of Westheimer Road and Eldridge Parkway around 9:15 p.m. Sunday, just moments after a woman was hit by a car.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard coming to this intersection knowing that woman was right there,\u201d Brooks said.<\/p>\n
According to police, a gray Honda Civic struck the woman, who may have been in a crosswalk at the time. When Brooks arrived, she saw the victim lying in the road, surrounded by several people.<\/p>\n
A nurse for 17 years, Brooks said she immediately began performing CPR.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not my job to determine whether she\u2019s going to make it or not,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s my job to render aid and try to save her life \u2014 and that\u2019s what I tried to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brooks said that while she was trying to save the victim, she also encountered the driver.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe mentioned he was out on bond,\u201d she said. \u201cI told him, \u2018Don\u2019t leave. I know this is going to be a big deal, but don\u2019t leave. It will become a hit-and-run if you do.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the man drove away moments later.<\/p>\n
Brooks said she memorized the license plate and called 911. Police later located the 31-year-old driver and brought him back to the scene for questioning, but he was released.<\/p>\n
Houston police said the investigation is ongoing and are asking any witnesses to come forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really do want to cry knowing he is out right now,\u201d Brooks said.<\/p>\n
Brooks also shared a message for the victim\u2019s family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you,\u201d she said. \u201cI pray for your peace and comfort, and I\u2019m sorry that nothing more could have been done to save your loved one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone with information is urged to contact the HPD Hit-and-Run Unit at 713-247-4072 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 713-222-TIPS.2<\/p>\n