Hudson Valley Mother Ran Over in Alleged Road-Rage Incident Saved Kids’ Lives
A pregnant Hudson Valley mother is being called a hero for jumping in front of a driver who allegedly ran over her and her young children.
Melissa DeLoatch, 32, was killed on Wednesday when 35-year-old Jason Mendez of Washingtonville allegedly plowed his car into DeLoatch and seven family members.
Moments before, Mendez got into an argument with the family, police say. He then allegedly got into his car, which was parked a 7-Eleven in Rockland County, hit all eight members of the family with his car, put the car in reverse and drove over the family members a second time.
CBS reports the father of the family asked Mendez to not blow smoke in his children's faces.
DeLoatch is being called a hero for jumping in front of the car and taking the brunt of the car's impact, saving her children's lives.
“My sister saw him coming at the last second and threw her body in front of the stroller and pushed the kids away,” her brother James Christopher told the Daily News. "The kids … they had to see their mom get run over, then run over again,” continued Christopher. “He drove over her, reversed and drove (over her) again.”
Six children ranging in age from infant to 10 years old and a 35-year-old man were all injured.
Mendez was charged with murder and seven counts of attempted murder with more charges likely.