Texas Firefighters Help Family Of Child Killed

Evelyn Pena, 5, was killed Saturday when she was accidentally run over by a pickup truck.

April 1, 2009

2 min read

SAN ANTONIO --

A group of volunteer firefighters have taken it upon themselves to help ease the financial worries of a family struck by tragedy over the weekend.

Evelyn Pena, 5, was killed Saturday when she was accidentally run over by a pickup truck being driven by her grandfather, said Bexar County sheriff's deputies. On Sunday, Pena's family members were standing along Loop 1604 soliciting donations for the child's funeral costs and were spotted by members of the Jarret Volunteer Fire Department returning from a fire call.

Jarret VFD Chief John Ortega said the department starting trying to help the family as soon as they returned to the station.

"It's just tough for me and all the firefighters when there's a child involved," Assistant Fire Chief Dale Allen said.

Allen began working Sunday and secured a donation from Mission Park Funeral Home owner Robert Tips for the service as well as flower donations from nine shops, he said. The department was not involved in Saturday's call for service, Allen said.

"This is no surprise to me," said Ortega. "The guy has a big heart, and this is just something that just touched him."

Pena's parents said they had no words to express their gratitude for the department's help. Funeral services for Pena are scheduled for 1 p.m., Wednesday at the Mission Park Funeral Chapel at 1700 SE Military.