News

Crash takes the life of popular man

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by Amy Fowler, HCN

A Cedar Park man died Tuesday night, Dec. 4, in a hit-and-run car accident that occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and the 183A toll road in Leander.

Sager Burgan, 64, was on his way to deliver papers for the Hill Country News when the vehicle he was driving was struck on the driver's side by a vehicle police say was driven by Carmelo Luna Gonzalez of Austin. Burgan was thrown out the passenger's side of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Lt. A.J. Keirn of the Leander Police Department said it appeared Gonzalez “was preoccupied and failed to yield the right of way.” Keirn declined to say whether alcohol was involved, but Burgan's wife said police told her there were beer cans in the truck.

Gonzalez and another man fled on foot while a third man, who was injured, stayed behind. The other passenger was later caught, but police suspect Gonzalez may have fled to Mexico. He has been charged with failure to stop and render aid, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The two passengers were not required by law to stop, and therefore will not be charged.

“This was a tragic accident,” said Keirn. “It's unfortunate that things like this happen this time of year. Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Burgan.”

After immigrating to the United States from Karak, Jordan, Burgan attended college at Sam Houston State University, later transferring to the University of Texas to earn his degree in engineering.

He later lost his job as an engineer due to the economic downturn of the 1980s and, having not yet earned his citizenship, began working in the convenience store business. He later earned his citizenship. At the time of his death, he was working at the Quix convenience store at the corner of U.S. Highway 183 and Sonny Drive in Leander. He also worked as an independent contractor for the Hill Country News.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years; three grown children: Christopher, Whit Liggett and Kim Lartigue, all of Cedar Park; three sisters and a large extended family in Jordan.

Anyone with any information on the location of Gonzalez should contact Detective H. Garret at 528-2812.

E-mail: amy@hillcountrynews.com

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of .

Aubrey Hays wrote on Jan 19, 2008 11:03 AM:

" This is a huge tragedy as he was so kind and good. I agree with Mr. Grady in that these specific borders need to be sealed up and illegal residence vs. legal immigration needs to be stopped in every way, now. This person, by the grace of God, will be found. -We have all of you inn prayer. "

Jeananne and David Cox wrote on Dec 18, 2007 2:32 PM:

" We knew Sager when he worked at the Circle K on Osage, he was such a bright spot when we visited the store and always made us laugh. Our prayers go out to the Burgan family. He will be truly missed. "

Rna halaseh wrote on Dec 15, 2007 1:06 PM:

" sweet sager rest in peace our Gad jesus be with u . "

burgans family wrote on Dec 15, 2007 12:52 PM:

" I just want thanks all how write about saqer ,his frineds,family... he desarve that. "

Sabah Burgan wrote on Dec 14, 2007 1:24 PM:

" My eyes were bleeding blood,and my heart was extremly shocked and disturbed, when I heard the wittung sadly death of my cousin just I can say that we lost a big treasure from our life......... my extremly condolences to his family,,to his wife,son and all of cousin's friends..... "

Samar Z. Burgan & family-Amman, Jordan wrote on Dec 14, 2007 3:02 AM:

" "My deepest condolance to you, Barbra and chris. We didn't meet before but I know Sager since we were kids and living in Karak.I feel sad for not being able to see him after we have grown up. As XMAS is approaching we shall celebrate his wonderful life. God bless his soul and be with you and his family in Jordan" "

Seeta Burgan 9sister 0 and her husband Attalah Halasa,Amman ,Jordan wrote on Dec 13, 2007 9:52 AM:

" God bless his soul,,,,He was every thing for us ,my onl brother,,my beloved Sager in the world.We are going to miss you dear so much.No word can tell how much pain is inside our hearts,You will be rememberd always "

NASER Burgan & family wrote on Dec 13, 2007 12:34 AM:

" Dear Barbra & CHris WE feel sory for his lost our condolences "

Khaled Ghazi burgan and family wrote on Dec 13, 2007 12:30 AM:

" I feel sorry for his lost my condolence Dear Barbra & CHris "

Wejdan Halasa Burgan wrote on Dec 13, 2007 12:25 AM:

" I ,m very sorry for our lose Sager ,We well not forget you to the end of time , you will be in our souls and minds , I hope that your in a peace know with your parents Mousa and Fadia , in the sky , let our Gad pless you in heaven ( beloved uncle ) "

Sameer Haddadin& Aseel Burgan wrote on Dec 12, 2007 6:01 AM:

" I Did not know Saqer, but I know he was loved by all of his friends and family. I feel sorry for his lost,my condolences to his wife,son and his family in Jordan "

Waddah Ammarin & Family wrote on Dec 12, 2007 2:19 AM:

" WE,re sory we wish God to bless him "

Wijdan Halasa wrote on Dec 12, 2007 2:16 AM:

" I,m very sad ,god bless him "

Daria i Daniel Burgan wrote on Dec 12, 2007 1:35 AM:

" CZEŚĆ JEGO PAMIĘCI "

Nasser Burgan & familky wrote on Dec 12, 2007 1:22 AM:

" My sincere condolences to his family "

basem qsos & family-karak-jordan wrote on Dec 12, 2007 1:22 AM:

" our deep condolances for the loss of the beloved saqer for his sudden and tragic death.......our deep sympathy with his family in the united states... "

Ghazi Burgan and family wrote on Dec 12, 2007 1:19 AM:

" Our sincere condolences to his family "

Daria i Daniel Burgan wrote on Dec 11, 2007 1:15 PM:

" Ta Śmierć to ogromna strata nie tylko dla nas ... W naszym imieniu przekazujemy szczere kondolencje i wyrazy współczucia Rodzinie i Bliskim. Ludzkość straciła człowieka wielkiego formatu. Wszyscy chylimy czoła przed Jego postawą, Jego pracą i Jego dziełem. Żegnaj Wujku CZEŚĆ JEGO PAMIĘCI "

Daria i Daniel Burgan wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:45 PM:

" Ta Śmierć to ogromna strata nie tylko dla nas ... W naszym imieniu przekazujemy szczere kondolencje i wyrazy współczucia Rodzinie i Bliskim. Ludzkość straciła człowieka wielkiego formatu. Wszyscy chylimy czoła przed Jego postawą, Jego pracą i Jego dziełem. Żegnaj Wujku CZEŚĆ JEGO PAMIĘCI "

Imad Zaal Burgan & family, UAE wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:03 PM:

" Our sincere condolences to his beloved wife Barbra and family. Our thoughts are with you. May the Lord give you comfort and bless his soul in eternity. Thanks to Amy Fowler of HCN for above article and to all who have shared with us a glimpse of Sager's pleasant character while working at Quix. Bless you All "

Munther Zaal Borgan and Wife Dr Nawal Sunna - Qatar / Doha wrote on Dec 11, 2007 11:49 AM:

" To Sager's Family: our deep condolences for the tragic loss of a good and dear memeber of family, Our prayers are with you during this sad time. May God Bless you with comfort. "

Dave Grady wrote on Dec 11, 2007 7:33 AM:

" I did not know Sager, but I am moved by all the wonderful things I read about him. I will say what many think when reading this article. When are we going to take control of our borders and protect our citizens? "

Majdi Zaal Burgan - Dubai wrote on Dec 11, 2007 5:23 AM:

" 'Our thoughts are with you all, may God give the family strength and courage to move on' "

Jamal Burgan and wejdan Halasa wrote on Dec 11, 2007 4:49 AM:

" Dear Barbara and Chris Our deep sorry and condolence ton you for the loose of our beloved Sager "

jamal Burgan and family wrote on Dec 11, 2007 4:38 AM:

" Dear Barbra & Cris our deep sorry & condolense to your for the loss of our beloved Saqer "

JAMAL BRGAN AND FAMILY wrote on Dec 11, 2007 4:34 AM:

" Dear Barbra and CRIS OUR DEEP SORRY AND CONDOLENSE TO YOU FOR THE LOSS OF OUR BELOVED SAGER. FROM : JAMAL BRGAN AND FAMILY "

ayman burgan and wife-karak/jordan wrote on Dec 11, 2007 1:21 AM:

" our deep condolances to saqer'family for sudden and tragic death.god bless his soul and we all love you. "

Sharon Dodd wrote on Dec 10, 2007 11:50 AM:

" My sincere condolences to his family and relatives - Sager was a good man and will be missed very much the Dodd Family "

Laith Haddadin wrote on Dec 10, 2007 7:50 AM:

" My sincere condolences to his family and relatives. Laith Haddadin/Jordan "

Sana Halasa,Karak,Jordan wrote on Dec 10, 2007 6:59 AM:

" He's my uncle,mum's brother.He's our beloved uncle,i'm still in shock,all here are not beleiving....We were talking every two weeks,laughing and nagging to let him come to visit us on the next summar.God how i miss uncle Sager,you will be in our minds,,, Sana Attalah Halasa "

rasha samir halaseh wrote on Dec 10, 2007 6:11 AM:

" we are very sad , we wish that we saw him , but it is not on our hand GOD BLESS HIM AMMAN - JORDAN "

Dr. Rami shawareb and the family wrote on Dec 9, 2007 2:03 PM:

" dear Christopher and the family.... we are very sorry for what happened ....we wish for you a good life with your mother and your family... and we want to say to all his family in Jordan and the U.S.A that our feelings are with you, and we want you to continue his life that known as a wonderful one.... GOD WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.... DR.Rami Odeh Al-Shawareb and his family.... "

Maha burgan and the family {his sister} wrote on Dec 9, 2007 1:30 PM:

" dear christopher, whit, kim and barbra.... we are very sad about what happened to our brother.....we wished that we were with him in the last moment but that's his life..... we are very sorry for what happened and we will miss him very much...... christopher and barbra, remember us and don't forget your family in Jordan.... we are praying for God to bless him in his heaven.... your lovely family: your sister maha burgan, her husband hosam and basel, rana,rasha and thaer.... "

Donna wrote on Dec 8, 2007 12:02 PM:

" Sager will be always be in our hearts... "

Bruce Arner wrote on Dec 8, 2007 12:01 PM:

" I had gotten to know Sager when he worked at Everyday store at Osage & 183 where he worked for a long time. He was very funny and kind, I would even make stops at the Quix store were he was currently working, just to say hello. We have lost a very special person. He will not be forgotten. My family will remember Sager forever. Thank you Sager!! "

Belinda Davis wrote on Dec 8, 2007 11:30 AM:

" People like Sager are rare, he was always the bright spot in any visit I made to the store. He never ever failed to make me smile. "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." ~Carol Sobieski "

Donna Finn wrote on Dec 8, 2007 7:41 AM:

" I have lost a dear, sweet friend! I have known Sager as long as he worked for Quix. I saw him at least every other day as did my husband. I always looked forward to going in and seeing his friendly eyes peering at me over his glasses. He will be missed terribly. My prayers are with his family and he will remain in my heart forever. Goodbye my sweet friend, Goodbye. "

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