Passenger Killed by Mob After Driver Hits Child

David Rivas Morales, 40, was attacked and beaten to death in Austin, Texas, after the car in which he was a passenger hit and injured a child Tuesday during Juneteenth festivities, according to the Associated Press.

The crowd of 2,000 to 3,000 people had overflowed into an apartment complex parking lot from a nearby park where the local festivities were held. The child was taken to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Morales' sister, Margaret Morales, claims that her brother had been living with her in her town-home located in the apartment complex where he was beaten. A neighborhood boy ran and knocked on her door to tell her that her brother was lying on the asphalt near her door.

She ran outside to see her brother David Morales lying on the ground about 100 feet from her doorway. The AP said that Morales' sister saw her brother choking on blood. Morales mother also was alerted and ran to the scene where they both where police stopped them from approaching the man's body. Police had arrived shortly after receiving a 911 call.

The car in which Morales was riding entered the parking area of the apartment complex and struck a child of around 3 or 4 years old. Police claim that the child is a girl but a neighbor told media that the child was a boy who wore his long hair in ponytails.

"The attackers were leaving the nearby Juneteenth festivities and may have been numbered from two to 20," said Austin Police Commander, Harold Piatt. The Juneteenth celebration is a city sponsored festivity which commemorates the slaves in Texas hearing of their freedom from slavery.

The driver of the car exited to attend to the child when he was confronted by several angry people. They then attacked the driver. Morales also exited the car and tried to intervene. Morales was also attacked by the crowd. The driver then managed to escape and is now cooperating with investigators. Police will not reveal the driver's name for security reasons. Police also claim that the crowd used no knives or guns in the attack of the two men. Police are looking for witnesses to help them locate members of the crowd that attacked the two men.

Margaret Morales and her family also claim that medical help came much too slowly to help her brother survive. David Morales arrived at a local hospital 35 minutes after the 911 call was received. Emergency officials say that they were told by police to wait to help Morales until the area was secured.

David Morales was a painter who was staying with his sister and rode to and from work with a man known only as Victor, Margaret Morales told reporters. She also claimed that her brother loved to sit on the porch of her home and watch the neighborhood children play. David Rivas Morales also loved the San Antonio Spurs and was happy when they won the championship.

Associated Press, Crowd kills man after car hits child, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070620/ap_on_re_us/crash_assault