HOUSTON—Robyn Romano watched her mother die Sunday after a hit-and-run in the Meyerland Plaza parking lot.
Even though pain medication for a broken leg was lulling her to sleep Monday, Romano, 33, was determined to tell her story from her hospital bed.
The day had started off on a happy note – Romano said she and her family were getting together for her birthday.
Her mom had come from Victoria with her niece and nephew, and they’d all gone to Meyerland Plaza to do some last-minute shopping.
But that’s when their lives changed forever.
Authorities said a man driving a Range Rover ran into the pickup Romano was driving. Her 14-year-old niece and 7-year-old nephew were inside the truck at the time, and her mother was just walking out of a store.
Police said the Range Rover, driven by George Randel Theobald, was stolen back in October.
But instead of exchanging information, Romano said Theobald pinned her between her truck and his SUV.
"Next thing I know I hear the tires squealing and I’m pinned up between the Range Rover and my dad’s truck," said Romano. "I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t get out."
Her mother ran over to help.
"She was facing me and trying to push me out between the two vehicles and that is the last I saw of her for a while," said Romano.
Romano said her mom couldn’t escape the driver either.
She said Theobald hit her mother, 56-year-old Brenda Romano, as he drove away.
"I was screaming for my mom and she wasn’t coming," said Romano. "At that point I turned around and I looked and saw her laying on the floor bleeding and unconscious."
Robyn, who works as a paramedic, tried to stop the bleeding.
"I cut everything open," she said. "I stuck my hand inside of her and squeezed the artery until it stopped."
She started CPR on her mom. A doctor and a nurse who happened to be in the parking lot also stopped to help, but it was too late.
"My mom died saving my life," said Romano. "I’ve been a medic for 13 years. I just never thought I’d have to do CPR on my own mother."
Romano said she knew her mother was gone.
"My mother is the heart and soul of our family," Romano said. "My dad and mom have been together for 38 years they’re like teenagers in love."
"When I was them kiss on each other, I was like get a room," she added, laughing.
Romano said she takes some comfort in the fact that, by 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, tips led police to the Western Inn Motel on the North Loop, where Theobald was staying. He was arrested and investigators said he admitted his role in the incident.
Theobald has been charged with murder and aggravated assault. A judge on Tuesday raised the Theobald’s bond to $100,000 for each count.
Still, Robyn Romano said she has her regrets about gathering family together for her birthday.
"If I hadn’t planned it, my mother would be alive today," she said. "It’s going to be a guilt I have to live with for a while."
