Family gather to remember pastor and wife killed in crash
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A small east Harris County church paid tribute Wednesday night to their head pastor and his wife who were killed in a street racing accident.
It was an emotional service of song and prayer at Iglesia Nuevo Amanecer, a baptist church in Cloverleaf. Members tell Eyewitness News, Jesse Estrada Sabillon, 60, had been their pastor for almost 30 years. His wife, Maria, was also killed.
"It was their passion and their wish that they would be with the Lord and that has come true for them," said Ofelia Gomez, the church's secretary.
Meantime, investigators have named the driver they are looking for.
Deputies say a speeding truck ran a red light and then ran into the innocent couple's car. They believe Alexis De Larosa Sosa, 21, was driving that vehicle. He took off running. The other racing car, possibly a Dodge Charger, stopped for a short time and then sped off.
It all happened around 9:15pm Tuesday at Bammel North Houston and the West Sam Houston Tollway feeder road.
Loved ones of the couple say they had just visited a relative's newborn baby and were headed back home, when they were struck by the speeding truck.
PHOTOS: Street racing suspected in deadly crash in NW Harris County
"I'm still in shock," said Jesse Sabillon, Jr., the couple's son.
The Sabillons had been married for more than 30 years. Their son says he was a pastor at the church and also known for his fine carpentry skills.
Sabillon added, "My dad was a very great man, I will always keep that in my heart and memory as well as my mom, a very strong woman."
The couple's BMW was crushed. They died at the scene.
"City streets aren't meant to be raced in, that's why we have traffic lights and law enforcement and signs with speed limits," said Sabillon.
Eyewitness News was the only station there when deputies searched the northwest side apartment of De Larosa Sosa. It was empty. Their search continues.
"You know what you did. You know who you are. It's going to eat you alive, come and turn yourself in and make it right,"Sabillon, Jr. said.
If you have any information call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
Family members have set up a benevolence account for donations to help pay for the cost of two funerals. You can go to any Capital One Bank branch to donate in Jesse Sabillon's name.
