A California father is being remembered for his bravery in the moments before he was killed by an out-of-control car as he returned from lunch with his family.
Adam Bouvet, 50, was in Dallas, Texas, visiting his eldest daughter on October 25 and was excited to watch his college-age grandson play football for the first time when he and his family heard a car screeching nearby. ABC 7 reports.
Soon a car jumped the sidewalk and headed straight for him, his wife, two daughters and a small grandchild – as Bouvet sprang into action to save his family.
“Within a second I was knocked down, but I got up and didn’t see my husband,” his wife Tracy said on Facebook.
“I found it in front of the car that hit us,” she said. “I truly believe he took the blow to save us all.”
Adam Bouvet, 50, is remembered for his courage in the moments before he was killed by an out-of-control car as he returned from lunch with his family
His daughters and grandchild were unharmed, while his wife Tracy suffered only minor injuries.
But Bouvet bore the brunt of the crash and suffered a traumatic brain injury. according to KTL.
He was rushed to a local hospital for emergency surgery but was pronounced dead three days later. The Mill restaurant in Old Town Murrieta, California – which he had co-owned for seventeen years – announced his untimely death.
“Adam has gone to be with our Lord and is now in heaven,” the pizzeria posted on Facebook on October 28.
‘He will never be forgotten!!’
His wife, Tracy, wrote on Facebook that he likely pushed his family out of an out-of-control car that jumped the curb on Oct. 25.
The couple was in Dallas, Texas, visiting his eldest daughter and watching his grandson play his first football game
Many in the community expressed shock and sadness at the news.
“You walk into The Mill and you just expect him to still be there,” his longtime friend Brad Neet told KTLA.
“There’s a huge hole in my heart,” he said. “Not only in my heart, but in the hearts of the community, his family and everyone he knew and loved.”
Some customers have now left notes and flowers outside the restaurant, while other community members tied orange ribbons around trees.
The local elementary school also posted black and orange signs to show its support for the Bouvet family – in the colors of his favorite baseball team, the San Francisco Giants.
Bouvet was co-owner of The Mill restaurant in Old Town Murrieta, California for 17 years
Loyal customers left bouquets of flowers and notes outside the restaurant after his death
In the meantime, The Mill donated proceeds from Friday and Saturday sales to help offset the costs of Bouvet’s untimely death.
At the same time a friend set up an online fundraiser for the family. As of Sunday, it had already raised more than $145,000.
“A lot of people don’t have as big of an impact on a community as he does, and so it’s pretty amazing to see this outpouring of love,” Neet said.
The Bouvet family is now in the process of returning his remains to California and planning a funeral service.
Meanwhile, Tracy remembers her husband as ‘my hero, the love of my life, my best friend’ [and] the best husband.’