ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A tragic hit-and-run in Austin, Texas transformed 23-year-old Dominic Dubas\u2019s life in a moment, hundreds of miles from his family in Nebraska, and thousands of miles from Anchorage where he\u2019s been stationed for 4 years.<\/p>\n
An airmen and firefighter whose first duty station was JBER, Dominic\u2019s family said he loved Alaska so much, he extended his time here beyond the initial 3 years. On May 30, Dominic was on a trip to Austin with a friend when he was struck by a vehicle while walking to the store. The vehicle drove away, and after lying in the street for minutes, he was transported to the hospital, where his family say he\u2019s on life support.<\/p>\n
\u201cDominic keeps pushing and fighting no matter how much pain he\u2019s in, he\u2019s not a quitter,\u201d said Dominic\u2019s mother, Melissa Dubas. \u201cI guess that\u2019s… that\u2019s the hope that I\u2019m hanging on to is that that\u2019s who I, that\u2019s who my son is. He\u2019s a fighter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dominic\u2019s life began amid frightening circumstances as well. Melissa said she was in a car accident in 2002, leading to her being hospitalized with a broken pelvis, a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, a torn bladder, and other injuries. <\/p>\n
At the time, doctors informed her she was pregnant, but that the baby might not survive, or he might be born with complications.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was scary to go through that and also, trying to let my body heal,\u201d Melissa Dubas said. \u201cAt the same time, you know, I\u2019m trying to grow a baby and he was\u00ad \u00ad\u2014 I mean, he turned out perfect.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he \u2014 we couldn\u2019t have asked for a better, a better \u2014 a better baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since then, Dominic\u2019s family say he\u2019s had such a \u201cvibrant personality\u201d with \u201ceyes that light up a room.\u201d<\/p>\n
After moving to Anchorage, his family says he embraced the Last Frontier wholeheartedly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went up in 2023 his face lit up showing us the base where he worked, the fighter jets on the tarmac, I think it\u2019s called, showing us places, the fish, took us down to like this, water running where you catch a salmon, stuff like that,\u201d said Dominic\u2019s cousin, Jaden Dubas. \u201cHe loves showing us the glaciers down there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe absolutely loves Alaska and all that it has to offer, and it was just, I think, one of the most amazing experiences for him to be able to be there,\u201d said Dominic\u2019s aunt, Dena Dubas.<\/p>\n
A son, brother, baseball player, umpire and Airman, support for Dominic and his family has poured in from all corners of the globe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have everybody sending me pictures and sharing their stories and special times and special talks and letting me know like how much Dominic meant to them,\u201d Melissa Dubas said. \u201cIt just \u2014 it\u2019s those things that keep me fighting for Dominic and it keeps me waking up and it, and it helps me to continue just knowing how much love and support that he has and how everybody loves and cares about him. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes me feel like I\u2019m not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the hit-and-run, Dominic\u2019s family is looking for any information that may help find the person responsible for the accident, and welcoming and prayer and support for Dominic\u2019s recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know he\u2019s strong and we just know that he can beat the odds, but we\u2019re praying for a miracle,\u201d Dena Dubas said. \u201cWe need a miracle. We need all the prayers and love and support through this time.\u201d<\/p>\n