CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The family of Dong J. Hwang, a 48-year-old Chesterfield man who passed away after being struck by a car earlier this month, is sharing their heartbreak and the enduring love that has helped them cope with his sudden loss. Dong died on Dec. 13, one week after sustaining severe brain injuries when he was hit while crossing a street outside the Winterfield Shopping Center on Dec. 6. His wife, Unsin An, and their two children, Natalie and Ethan, have now been left to navigate life without the devoted husband and father they cherished deeply. Unsin described her husband as a kind and loving man who dedicated himself to his family. Speaking about the tragedy, she shared the hope she clung to during his final days. “It was sudden. You don’t expect someone to go out to get dinner and not come back at all,” Unsin said. “But I’m glad he tried to do his best to stay with me for a week.” On the day of the accident, Hwang had spent most of the day with Unsin before stepping out to pick up food. While walking through a crosswalk near the shopping center, he was struck by a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old, according to police. Unsin recounted the moment she learned of the incident, saying she initially thought it couldn’t be serious. “It’s a small shopping center, a four-way stop. I was thinking, ‘it can’t be that bad,’” Unsin said. “I didn’t see any blood on the road when I was talking to the police.” Despite undergoing emergency brain surgery, Hwang never regained consciousness. His family hoped for his recovery but ultimately had to say goodbye after a week of anguish of him in ICU. “I had a lot of hope,” Unsin said. “Whether it takes a year or two, I thought he would be in long-term care, and we could wait for him. So, we had hope that he would wake up one day and see us.” In their grief, the Hwang family has found comfort in their community and each other. Natalie, Hwang’s daughter, reflected on the unexpected kindness they have received. “Grief comes in waves, and it’s definitely going to feel like that for a while,” Natalie said. “But it just made me realize how kind people are and how much love there is, even when it feels so lonely sometimes.” The family is haunted by how one moment of inattention forever changed their lives. Hwang was crossing the street legally and paying attention, making his death even harder to comprehend. “That one mistake—the one look you didn’t take—can change other people’s lives,” Unsin said. Chesterfield police have confirmed that speed was not a factor in the incident, but charges are pending against the teen driver for negligence in failing to check blind spots. As the Hwang family mourns the loss of their beloved Dong, they remain focused on honoring his memory by drawing strength from the love he gave them—a love they will carry with them as they navigate their future without him. Dong's funeral service was held on Sunday, December 22. You can donate to help the family with expenses through their GoFundMe.