FORT WORTH, TX – A devastating hit-and-run incident has left the family of Ryan Smith heartbroken and searching for answers. The 40-year-old was struck while skateboarding on a tranquil Sunday evening in Fort Worth, and the driver responsible fled the scene, leaving Smith to fight for his life.
The Fort Worth Police have been tight-lipped about the details surrounding the vehicle or the suspect involved in the incident. The lack of information has only fueled the anguish and uncertainty felt by Smith’s family and community members.
Jeremy Worthington, a neighbor who heard the crash from his home on Wedgewood Drive, was among the first to respond. He described the desperate attempts to save Smith, who briefly regained consciousness before losing the battle. “We rolled him over, tried getting him to breathe. He opened his eyes for a little bit and then went back out,” Worthington shared.
Though police have yet to confirm the identity of the victim, Smith’s family identified him as the individual involved in the accident. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Smith’s injuries proved fatal, and he passed away on Wednesday night. His sister, Laura Beth, expressed her dismay over the driver’s decision to flee. “That’s inhumane. And it’s wrong. It’s immoral,” she stated.
On Thursday, Laura Beth visited the crash site to meet the compassionate neighbors who tried to help her brother. Her family, including Smith’s two teenage daughters, is hoping for the person responsible to come forward. “It was probably an accident. I don’t want anybody to be ruined. I’m sure it’s devastating, but we are a common-sense, merciful family. We just want closure,” she said.
Although surveillance footage from a nearby home has been provided to the police, it did not capture the impact or the vehicle’s departure. The family remains hopeful that someone with pertinent information will assist in resolving the case.
This tragic event underscores the need for responsibility and compassion. The Smith family continues to seek justice and urges anyone with knowledge of the incident to reach out to authorities.