Family shares justice plea for Elkhart County hit-and-run victim

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind.- A family is pleading for justice, for their son who was killed by a hit-and-run driver St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

21-year-old Austin Delgado was killed on Old County Road 17 in Elkhart County. While the sheriff’s department is trying to find who is responsible, the family is piecing together the morning they found out the news.

The sheriff’s department tells ABC57 this is still an ongoing investigation. On Tuesday, the victim’s mother explains that it breaks her heart imagining what Austin’s last moments were like.

“I can’t imagine what he was going through, was he crying out for me or my mom?” asks Christina Delgado, Austin’s mother.

Comforted by her younger brother, Antonio, Christina Austin was at a house party on Saturday.

“His friend that drove him there didn’t want to take him home so my son got mad and took off walking,” she says.

According to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, Austin’s body was found lifeless on Old County Road 17, just before 4 a.m. that morning.

“All I know is someone hit him and left him on the road, they didn’t even stop,” says Christina, crying.

Austin was 21 years young, from Kimmel, Indiana. He was funny and loving and a big cubs fan.

“When they won the World Series, it was a great time,” says Antonio, Austin’s uncle.

Austin was Christina’s only child, “He was my life.”

Saturday morning, Christina received news that would ultimately change her life forever.

“I said, ‘Is he in jail?’ He shook his head. I said, ‘Okay, what hospital is he in?’ And then you know what the last option is,” says Christina. “I lost control of myself.”

She didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye or I love you, “love you bye, love you night,” says Christina, as those were the phrases they’d tell one another.

Christina says Austin made a difference in other people’s lives and even saved someone from committing suicide. “He gave her reasons to live, because he loved life.”

With tears in their eyes both family members say the pain is unbearable. “The darkest days are coming, I know for me and my family,” says Christina.

Austin’s calling time is Thursday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. His service will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Yeager Funeral Home in Ligonier.

The family has also set up a GoFundMe page.

If you know anything, you’re asked to contact the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department.