Motorcyclist and musician killed in hit-and-run crash
Loved ones are mourning the loss of a 30-year-old North Texas musician. 30-year-old Elijah Heaps was killed while riding his motorcycle home from work on Friday evening.
DALLAS – Friends and family are mourning the loss of a talented musician who was killed in a hit-and-run crash last week.
The Backstory: The deadly crash happened around 5:30 p.m. on Friday near Irving Boulevard and Wycliff Avenue in Dallas.
Witnesses told investigators 21-year-old Jonathan Salazar Garcia took a left turn in his Dodge Ram truck and collided with 30-year-old Elijah Heaps’ Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Police said Salazar Garcia never stopped to help.
However, two other drivers who witnessed the crash followed Salazar Garcia’s truck until police arrived.
When he was arrested, Salazar Garcia was carrying a Mexican driver’s license. He told police he was staying at a home in Grand Prairie.
He’s now being held at the Dallas County jail on an immigration hold with a charge of collision involving death.
What People Are Saying: Heaps’ girlfriend said her worst fears came true on Friday evening after she noticed he was late getting home from work.
“And he hasn’t reached out to me. I texted him and asked where he was. Ten minutes later, I checked his location, and he’s still there,” Cora Messick said.
The two had plans of marriage and moving into a home.
“He was the first person that I ever really thought forever about and felt sure,” she said. “I have never met anybody so amazing and loyal and compassionate.”
Rachel Frantom said she was wrapping her son’s Christmas gift when she got the devastating call about his death.
“We are going through the loss of a beautiful soul because somebody wasn’t doing what they were supposed to do,” Frantom said.
Heaps’ mother described him as a special person who was destined to do something special.
“He was beyond anything that I’ve ever known in this world. Full of light and every time he was around anybody, he made them feel better. He was an encourager. He was gifted. He had lots and lots of talent,” Frantom said.
Heaps’ loved ones want to remind people to be aware of the motorcycle community while on the roads.
