Albert Pelletier, an Army veteran, was experiencing homelessness when he tragically died in a hit-and-run accident just hours before moving into housing.
SAN ANTONIO — Albert Pelletier was just six hours away from being in a safe place when he was struck and killed by a driver on 1-10 just after midnight on July 14.
Pelletier, an Army veteran, was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s and experiencing homelessness, according to those close with him. He was getting ready to be placed in a facility but left his hotel and wandered onto the highway.
San Antonio Police said the driver that hit him took off. However, they have no witnesses and have not made any arrests.
His niece, Lisa Dorr, found out days after the incident that her uncle had died. She lives in South Carolina. She said the hardest part was trying to figure out with his ex-wife, how to tell his 9-year-old son.
“We’re going to keep Uncle Albert’s spirit alive for him and we’re going to let him know daddy was a great man and daddy loved him very much,” Dorr said.
Dorr admitted they did not realize Pelletier had been living on the streets. She said when she would speak with him, he would act as if everything was fine.
However, in the last week she has been able to connect with his pastor, Robert Springer. Springer runs the Foxhole Ministry. They take church to the streets several times a week. Springer met Pelletier about five years ago.
“He helped Albert through so much, through the homelessness, through getting his benefits, getting his ID back, getting everything but it was gone within moments,” Dorr said.
Springer said Pelletier quickly became a dedicated member of the church.
“He never drank, he never smoked, he never did drugs, so the misconception about that in the homeless community, that is not always the case,” Springer said.
Pelletier eventually got into housing but Springer said his condition was progressing and he failed to make payments which forced him to be evicted 12 weeks ago.
He said they found him, malnourished and struggling. However, Springer said he made sure to get him connected to the resources he needed.
“A lot of money was spent on Al by the state and federal government, a lot of money was spent on Al,” Springer said. “It was spent incorrectly. It was wasted; it was squandered because nobody could take the time to know his story.”
He said he was finally able to set him up with a place that acted more like assisted living. But the night before, Pelletier left his hotel room.
“About six hours before we were able to deliver him, he was killed in a hit and run accident,” Springer said.
It was devastating news. However, Springer said they knew he was where he was meant to be, in heaven.
“Al read his bible every day, he loved to talk about it everyday,” Springer said. “We don’t mourn for Al, Al is in glory, he’s in the arms of Jesus.”
Pelletier will be laid to rest on Monday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. If you would like to help his family, there is a GoFundMe set up.