Friends mourn death of wheelchair-bound homeless man killed in hit-and-run

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We spoke exclusively to Alicia and Rosalio Rogriguez just hours after they learned a man they grew to love won't be coming home for dinner anymore.

The couple took in 65-year-old Santos Longoria when he was homeless 3 years ago.

"He would leave sometime and then I would go looking for him," said Alicia Rodriguez.

Longoria said on Tuesday night, however, he never came back. She learned through a neighbor that he was struck and killed.

"It's sad very sad," said Cynthia Silva, neighbor.

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Eyewitness News obtained surveillance video with shocking moments before Longoria was killed. It happened on Tall Willow Drive at Rosslynn Road. Video shows him in his wheelchair headed to a fast food restaurant to buy a burger at about 11:30pm.

"We said just let him go," recalls Rodriguez, who claims they tried to stop Longoria from leaving the house late at night.

"She's a wonderful person for doing that. Not everyone picks someone off the street when you don't even know them," said Silva.

Neighbors of the couple also knew Longoria, and the kids in the area loved him very much. Rodriguez offered a message to the person who didn't stop to render aid.

"If you're watching me, please, turn yourself in," said Rodriguez in Spanish.

"This is not going to stay like this you will be found if you don't turn yourself in," said Silva.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.