The 36-year-old was changing a tire on his work van when he was struck
Credit: Gofundme
NEED TO KNOW
- Gregory Christopher II, 36, was killed while changing a flat tire on I-69 in Fishers, Indiana
- The driver who struck Christopher fled the scene and has not been identified, according to police
- Christopher’s family remembered him as a devoted husband and father of six daughters
Gregory Christopher II, a father of six, was killed in a hit-and-run while changing a flat tire on an Indiana highway on Tuesday, August 18, authorities said.
The 36-year-old was struck by a vehicle as he changed a tire on the side of the highway, 13News reported, citing Indiana State Police. Christopher had been working for Roto-Rooter and left the company’s office around 9 p.m. after an evening job, his family told the outlet.
One of the tires on his work van blew out while he was driving home, prompting him to pull onto the shoulder of I-69 near Fishers and begin changing it. Police believe Christopher may have been stopped along I-69 for roughly 45 minutes before he was struck, Indiana State Police told WRTV.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Christopher has not been identified, and police are still searching for a suspect.
Around 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday, dispatchers began receiving calls from motorists reporting what appeared to be a dead body in front of a van on the right shoulder of northbound I-69, just south of Exit 210, according to FOX59.
When troopers arrived, they found Christopher, of Parker City, Indiana, and pronounced him dead at the scene, local news outlets reported.
Investigators believe a northbound vehicle struck Christopher while he was working on the tire. The driver did not stop and has not been identified, Indiana State Police told local news outlets.
His mother, Kristi Sockol, told 13News that her son asked her to let his daughters know he would be home later because he needed to change a tire.
“He wanted to make sure they had eaten dinner and done homework,” Sockol said. “He told me he loved me and I told him I loved him back. He was more concerned about his daughters than the danger he would soon face.”
Christopher was a husband, father, son, grandson and brother who leaves behind six daughters, his family told 13News.
“He was the best girl dad anyone could ask for,” Sockol said. “He was kind and loving. His sense of humor and smile will be something we will hold onto forever. He loved his family fiercely and would want us to continue protecting them as he would have.”
Christopher’s brother also remembered him as someone who cared deeply for the people around him.
“I believe he is one of the most selfless people I know,” his brother told 13News. “He was loyal to a fault and he gave more love than he ever received.”
“He was an amazing big brother and an even better role model,” he added.
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A GoFundMe created for the family says donations will help cover funeral expenses and support Christopher’s wife, Dawn, and their six daughters, Addison, Alexis, Annsley, Arya, Amelia and Chloe, as they cope with his death.
The family is also asking anyone who may have information about the crash to come forward.
“Any kindness, support, or information means so much to this grieving family,” Christopher’s parents wrote.
Indiana State Police are searching for the driver involved in the hit-and-run and asking anyone with information to come forward, per the outlets.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Indiana State Police for comment.
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