'Hit-and-run hero' receives honor

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The man who chased down the driver charged with running down University of Texas soccer player Kylie Doniak was honored Tuesday by a crime victims' rights group.

The nonprofit organization, Crime Victims First , awarded 47-year-old Sisto Perez with a medal and a certificate of appreciation for his single-hand apprehension of the man who is facing drunken driving and other charges in the Feb. 3 incident.

Perez, who was riding his motorcycle downtown when a car ran over Doniak and others, said he was just helping police when he sprang into action.

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Perez said he is still haunted by the sound of the victims' screams at the accident site.

"Kylie fell and landed on the street with her two friends," he said "It's something I haven't been able to get out of my head just yet."

And since then, he has visited Doniak in the hospital as she continues recovering from her injuries.

"I've been in and out of the hospital and she's doing better and better every day," he said. "And that's a blessing."

Meanwhile, the restaurant chain, Chili's, is helping to defray Doniak's medical expenses. On Wednesday, Chili's will donate 15 percent of sales from customers who present a special "Kylie Doniak" flier at one of its participating locations. The flier can be downloaded from Doniak's page on the website, CaringBridge.org , which provides updates on her recovery.

The page also contain information on how to donate to a special fund set up at Wells Fargo Bank.