Vietnam Serviceman Killed in Hit-and-run Hours Before Veterans Day, His Niece's Message to Driver: 'God Sees All'

A man who served in the Vietnam War has died after he was struck in a hit-and-run in Pennsylvania just before Veterans Day.

Samuel Jackson, 67, had been putting things into his car which was parked outside his house in Norristown, Montgomery County, at around 6.30 p.m. Sunday, when a car hit him and fled the scene.

After the collision, slippers, glasses and other belongings were scattered along the road at the intersection of Astor and West Oak Streets. Jackson died later in hospital from his injuries.

His sister, Peggy Jackson, appealed to the culprit to report to the police, telling CBS Philly: "He did not deserve this. Just to run somebody down and not stop to see if he was OK? Who does that? He's not a dog. He was our brother. He had a family who loved him. Go to the police station, turn yourself in and explain yourself."

His niece, Tione Jackson, told NBC10: "He was well-loved as well as a vet and tomorrow morning will be Veterans Day. So he fought for this country and we need to fight for his rights.

"God sees all. So one day you will be held accountable but the family that I have, we're going to make sure you're accountable. We're going to make sure, I promise you that. Rest in peace Uncle Sam, we will love you for life."

Norristown Police has not released a description of the offender's vehicle although it is believed to be red. Officers are appealing to the public for more information.

His death hours before Veterans Day is all the more poignant, with events planned for Monday across the U.S. to honor past and present military service personnel. The day is also federal holiday which many students and workers will have off and banks will be closed.

President Donald Trump will attend New York City's annual Veterans Day parade in what will be the largest commemoration service in the U.S, starting at 10:30 a.m. EST in Madison Square Park, and followed by a parade of more than 25,000 people.

United War Veterans Council (UWVC) Douglas McGowan said in a statement: "This is a day when we put politics aside to focus on honoring our veterans and to recommit ourselves as a community to providing them with the services they have earned, the services they deserve and, for many, the services they were denied."