NEED TO KNOW
- Xochitl Santos was pinned by a vehicle speeding down her driveway, per officials
- She had one of her legs amputated and the second one almost removed before she was pronounced dead
- Santos is being remembered as a hardworking and loyal cleaning lady, according to a post by her employer who is raising funds for her children
A Texas family is mourning the loss of their mother — and breadwinner — after she was mowed down on her own driveway days before Christmas.
Xochitl Santos, 43, was killed outside her home in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 23 after being hit by a car, the Houston Police Department said in a statement over the weekend.
Authorities did not identify her in their statement but Harris County medical examiner’s records have since identified her as Santos.
The crash took place around 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 23, after a 34-year-old man in a white vehicle was allegedly driving down the street pursuing a gold sedan, the HPD said in its statement.
The driver allegedly ran a stop sign, lost control and struck Santos, police said. He has not been charged in connection with the incident.
The driver was allegedly chasing his girlfriend — who was in the gold sedan — down Santos’ street when the accident happened on her driveway, police said, per ABC 11.
Houston police declined to confirm this information when contacted by PEOPLE.
The driver allegedly crashed into Santos, who was standing by a vehicle, pinning her, FOX 26 Houston reported, citing officials. One of her legs had to be amputated and her second leg was almost removed.
She was pronounced dead after she was taken to the hospital.
Xochitl Santos/Facebook
Santos was a mom to four kids and worked as a housekeeper, according to an employer who shared fundraising options for her children on Facebook.
“She was a single mom, but you would never know that unless you really listened. That did not define her. She was hardworking, loyal, trustworthy and the kindest soul on the planet,” Janella Cordray Armstrong wrote in an online tribute. “She wasn’t the help. She was my friend.”
Armstrong shared her last memory of Santos: when Santos meowed at her cat. “She loved our pups, our kitties and our family as her own,” she added.
Her children plan to expand her business, Armstrong said in her post, which aims to raise funds for them. “She raised amazing kids who are just as strong as she is.”
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Santos’ death was ruled an accident, per Harris County records.
The 34-year-old man was detained and later released, the HPD said.
They declined to comment on whether there will be charges in the case, and told PEOPLE the investigation is ongoing.
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