Witnesses recall tragic Fort Worth crash and loss of cherished community member killed while sitting at the bus stop

FORT WORTH, Texas — From the kitchen of his family’s Fort Worth restaurant, Jose Martinez has one main view of the outside. 

“I was standing right here. I was cooking,” said Martinez, who works at Tacos La Cuesta Hidalguense, a nearby restaurant.

Saturday’s scene was one he just can’t shake. 

“All I see is a truck just plow through the parking lot right there,” Martinez said. “It’s just in my head still, the vivid images of yesterday.”

Security cameras show two vehicles speeding down E. Lancaster Avenue Saturday afternoon. Fort Worth Police said the pickup truck lost control and slammed into a bus stop before crashing into a gas station. Jesus Mendoza, another employee at Tacos La Cuesta Hidalguense, was taking a lunch break at the restaurant when he witnessed the crash. 

“I just see the whole bus stop, like glass everywhere,” Mendoza said.

What Mendoza sadly learned was that the woman he saw sitting at that bus stop died from the crash. He and Martinez told WFAA that the woman is a repeat customer who frequents the area. They went over to help her. 

“I really can’t express it, but like all of the emotions just hit me,” Mendoza said.

Fort Worth PD said two others had minor injuries. 

Police also said they arrested two people believed to be involved in the deadly crash. They are 24-year-old De’tavius Hayes and 22-year-old Deovion Alexander. Authorities said Hayes is charged with collision involving death and an out-of-town warrant. Alexander is charged with collision involving death.

Some residents said the arrests bring a little relief to the community. “Everybody on this like street is all for the community,” Mendoza said.

However, the community is still in pain for the woman whose life was taken. They said she was quiet but always friendly and happy. 

“You want to cry. You’re mad,” Martinez said. “It’s a life that got lost for something that shouldn’t have happened.”

Detectives have not released the name of the woman who died. The investigation is ongoing.