Klamath man dies after sacrificing his life for a friend

Klamath Falls, Ore. — A man was killed during a hit and run this week.

The woman with him, that he sacrificed his life for, is trying to do what she can in his memory.

Chelsea Thompson was walking with her friend Joseph Carter late Sunday afternoon when they were both suddenly hit by a car.

“We heard this engine like rev up,” Thompson said.

A walk home from the grocery store turned into a tragedy for Chelsea Thompson and Joseph Carter as they were returning from the Fred Meyer on Shasta Way in Klamath Falls.

They heard the sound of a pickup truck coming straight at them.

They started running into a nearby field, but it was too late.

“Right before the truck hit us, Joey had pushed me out of the way and took most of the blunt of the force,” Thompson said.

Despite running 20 feet from the side walk, the pickup truck kept coming and ran over both of Thompson’s legs, but squarely hit joseph’s body… taking his life.

The driver– Charles Vermillion– is now charged with manslaughter, and hit and run.

Officers suspect he was intoxicated.

Thompson says she’ll remember Joseph as a very giving and loving person.

“He’d take the clothes off his back if you needed it,” Thompson said.

As he proved, throwing her to safety.

Now she’s hoping to organize a car wash to help with his funeral expenses.

The car wash takes place this weekend at 6th and Washburn from 9am to 3pm.

You can also donate to the Carter family on Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/2y1fsis?ssid=800267141&pos=1

 

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