Good Samaritan Hit Twice By Thanksgiving Traffic Dies In Tulsa

A Tulsa man hit by two cars while trying to help a stranger on Thanksgiving has died.

James Taylor's parents said their son was crossing Memorial near 17th to help change someone's flat tire.

His mom, Stephanie Hoback, and dad, William Taylor, said that was just like their son, always wanting to help, and never truly meeting a stranger.

“Oh my word, that child was a goofball,” Hoback said. “He was your typical 20-year-old boy.

A free spirit is the best way to describe James Taylor, his mom said.

Hoback said, “James just kind of bounced around, you never could really get him focused on one thing.”

The one thing James' mom and dad said their son was always focused on was putting others before himself.

“It didn't matter who you were...it didn't matter race, color or creed, if you needed something, he would do what he could to get it to you,” Taylor said.

James had stopped to help a stranger with a flat tire Thanksgiving night; he was crossing the street on Memorial near 17th.

12/4/2015 Related Story: Tulsa Pedestrian Critical After Being Hit Twice By Thanksgiving Traffic

“It was raining, roads were wet,” his mother said. “He was wearing dark-colored clothes.”

It was also dark, and a driver in the northbound lanes didn't see James. He was hit by one car and thrown into the southbound lanes and hit a second time by a pickup truck.

“I can't be angry at her. It was an accident,” Hoback said.

James’ mom said the driver who hit her son first visited him at the hospital; the family instantly forgave.

“We let her know that we prayed for her just as much as we prayed for him because I can't imagine how devastating that is for her. We just wrapped our arms around her and showed her love,” Hoback said.

It was out of love for their son, his parents said, they had to let him go. His brain was too badly damaged, so in his final moments, his mom laid by his side, told him she loved him and said goodbye.

“He came into this world in momma's arms, and he went of this world in momma's arms,” she said. “It's a special moment I'll get to carry the rest of my life.”

James had a fiancé he was going to marry next summer.

Moore Funeral Home in Tulsa has offered to cover funeral costs, but an online fundraising site has also been set up to help the family pay medical bills.

Services will be held Friday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the Southern Hills Baptist Church at 5590 South Lewis Avenue in Tulsa.