A North Texas military veteran who survived a deadly attack on U.S. forces during an overseas deployment is now facing months of recovery after a hit-and-run crash at home that left him seriously injured. Fort Worth police are asking for the public’s help identifying the driver accused of strik ing 29-year-old Kris Rodriguez while he was riding his motorcycle on Interstate 35W near Northside Drive on Sept. 27 and then fleeing the scene. Investigators are searching for a gray or light-colored four-door sedan, possibly a Toyota, that may have damage to its front end or passenger side. Rodriguez remains hospitalized with multiple serious injuries. “Kristopher has a broken clavicle, which punctured his lung,” his mother Sylvia Amos told NBC 5. “He has broken ribs, a broken pelvis. He has a bladder injury, which got a ruptured bladder.” His family says the crash came just weeks after the Army National Guard soldier returned home from a deployment to the Middle East. During that deployment, Rodriguez was stationed in Kuwait and Qatar and survived a deadly January 2024 drone attack on an American base in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members. “He literally contacted my wife during the attack and told her, ‘I love you,'” said Chris Amos, Rodriguez’s father. His mother remembers that call vividly. “He didn’t tell me why,” Sylvia said. “He just said, ‘Mama, I wanted to call you and tell you that I love you.'” After returning home, Rodriguez was looking forward to a fresh start. Family members say he had recently secured a new job, moved into a new home in Fort Worth, and purchased a motorcycle. That excitement quickly turned to devastation. Police say Rodriguez was riding on I-35W near the Yucca Avenue exit around 9:30 p.m. when the collision happened. “Our assumption is that the driver of the vehicle just didn’t see that Kris was there or whatever the case may be and shot straight over to try to make the exit and impacted my son,” Chris said. The crash left Rodriguez with extensive injuries, including a broken clavicle, broken ribs, a punctured lung, a broken pelvis and a ruptured bladder. Doctors have performed surgeries for Rodriguez’s severe injuries and are continuing treatment as he begins what his family says will be a long and difficult recovery. “Kristopher is physically not doing too good, but also emotionally,” Sylvia said. “He’s just kind of in a dark space right now. He really needs his family.” The family, who live in the Austin area, says they have been traveling back and forth to be with Rodriguez while also facing mounting medical expenses and transportation costs. They’re hoping for a medical transport so that he can be closer to his parents. “Medical costs are starting to pile up now, and the hospital’s unable to get us transportation to Austin,” Sylvia said. “Kristopher is just completely devastated. His world has been turned upside down, not only physically, but financially.” Nearly two weeks after the crash, Rodriguez’s parents worry the investigation has stalled. They and the police have turned to social media to encourage anyone with information to come forward. They also have a message for the driver who left the scene. “This is somebody that you’ve impacted. You’ve completely changed the direction of their life,” Chris said. “At least have a backbone and stop and offer aid. Don’t tuck your tail and run.” For now, Rodriguez’s family remains focused on his recovery and finding the person responsible. “Thank God he’s alive,” Sylvia Amos said. “But he is going through a living hell right now. We’re just trying to get him the help that he needs and be there as much as we possibly can.” Anyone with information about the crash or the vehicle involved is asked to contact Fort Worth police. ...read more read less