El Paso firefighter remains hospitalized nearly a week after being struck by a hit-and-run driver

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso firefighter and emergency room nurse Armando Lopez remains hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle last week after responding to an emergency call on the west-side of Transmountain.

Police said a black SUV or pickup truck drove around a firetruck that was positioned to protect first responders and hit Lopez, causing serious injuries.

He was rushed to University Medical Center where he remained in recovery on Tuesday.

Authorities said the driver never stopped and remained at-large.

Lopez's friends talked with ABC-7 on Tuesday about what they are going through and just what kind of person Lopez is.

"He is a very busy guy, between two jobs and a family, you know he had enough on his plate," said Derya Cakmar, a fellow nurse.

Emergency room nurse Ariel Moffiet talked about her frustrations, saying: "This is someone that we know.  Just to imagine he was put in that situation and the person just left. It's cowardly."

El Paso Crimestoppers are offering a reward for tips leading to the arrest of the driver that struck Lopez.  You can call them at 566-8477 or contact them here online.

A GoFundMe campaign has also been created to help Lopez pay his hospital bills.