Wife of "Hero" Speaking Out About His Death on Roadway
By: Lauren Trager, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 12, 2012
The wife of a man killed on the side of the road is speaking out, saying he was a real hero, only trying to help someone in need.
Two people were killed and four others injured, in the accident late Friday night on the MLK, Jr. Expressway in Hot Springs.
Hot Springs police say it's rare for them to work an accident involving a Good Samaritan, not a part of the accident, who simply tried to help.
But one woman we talked to says, that's what her husband did all the time. It was an action that ultimately took his life.
"We really worked hard on our home, that is what we did," said Gerrie Haney.
A spot of land on Lake Catherine was Gerrie and Robert Haney's big dream.
They were working on building a home, planned to have a few cabins on the lake, hangout in their hot tub, raise chickens, and love each other to the very end.
"What a wonderful life we had together and he made it all possible," said Haney.
But Robert Haney's life ended much too soon.
Just before midnight Friday, he and his two kids were headed for home on the Martin Luther King Expressway.
Another driver had crashed into the median, and as was his way, Haney stopped to help.
"He was really just a bigger than life hero, every day," said his wife.
Haney and 29-year-old Jayna Beverlin were standing near the road, when another car crashed into them. Police say it was just too dark.
"With the low lighting, probably just didn't see them," said Corporal McCrary Means with the police department.
Haney was thrown over the concrete median and was hit again by another car. He and Beverlin both died from their injuries.
"I wish that he wouldn't have," said Haney.
Gerrie Haney can't change what's happened. But to other kind-hearted people she says: "I think you should help, but you should protect yourself as well. To help someone else and lose your own life, isn't helping at all."
Now, though she's without the love of her life, she says, she'll continue working to keep their dream alive.
"It's gonna keep going," she said.
Police say they really don't want you to get out of your car to help during an accident. But if you feel compelled to do so they say turn on your flashers, light flares, wear reflective gear, anything to let people know you are there.
The driver who hit Haney and the other woman wasn't hurt and hasn't been charged.
Two people were killed and four others injured, in the accident late Friday night on the MLK, Jr. Expressway in Hot Springs.
Hot Springs police say it's rare for them to work an accident involving a Good Samaritan, not a part of the accident, who simply tried to help.
But one woman we talked to says, that's what her husband did all the time. It was an action that ultimately took his life.
"We really worked hard on our home, that is what we did," said Gerrie Haney.
A spot of land on Lake Catherine was Gerrie and Robert Haney's big dream.
They were working on building a home, planned to have a few cabins on the lake, hangout in their hot tub, raise chickens, and love each other to the very end.
"What a wonderful life we had together and he made it all possible," said Haney.
But Robert Haney's life ended much too soon.
Just before midnight Friday, he and his two kids were headed for home on the Martin Luther King Expressway.
Another driver had crashed into the median, and as was his way, Haney stopped to help.
"He was really just a bigger than life hero, every day," said his wife.
Haney and 29-year-old Jayna Beverlin were standing near the road, when another car crashed into them. Police say it was just too dark.
"With the low lighting, probably just didn't see them," said Corporal McCrary Means with the police department.
Haney was thrown over the concrete median and was hit again by another car. He and Beverlin both died from their injuries.
"I wish that he wouldn't have," said Haney.
Gerrie Haney can't change what's happened. But to other kind-hearted people she says: "I think you should help, but you should protect yourself as well. To help someone else and lose your own life, isn't helping at all."
Now, though she's without the love of her life, she says, she'll continue working to keep their dream alive.
"It's gonna keep going," she said.
Police say they really don't want you to get out of your car to help during an accident. But if you feel compelled to do so they say turn on your flashers, light flares, wear reflective gear, anything to let people know you are there.
The driver who hit Haney and the other woman wasn't hurt and hasn't been charged.
