Heroic Last Act: Man Protects Girlfriend in Fatal Crash

A 21-year-old man who died in a Texas crash is being remembered as a hero by loved ones, who say he spent his final moments doing whatever he could to protect his girlfriend, who survived.

In a crash report shared with PEOPLE, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed that the crash occurred on Friday, Jan. 17, around 3 p.m. local time on Highway 281 in Erath County.

According to a preliminary investigation, a vehicle driven by Karen Huey, 63, was traveling north on 281, while another vehicle, operated by Jaelen Green, 21, was heading in the opposite direction. Police said that Huey’s car “failed to drive in a single lane” and then struck the other vehicle. 

Both Huey and Green died at the scene.

Nicole Doggett, 22, a passenger in the vehicle driven by Green, was injured and taken to a hospital, according to police, who say the investigation is ongoing and did not have any additional details to share when contacted by PEOPLE.

Aliya Hoover, a friend who created a gofunding to help with Green’s funeral expenses, says that Doggett "told me that the accident happened very quickly."

"She stated that Jaelen grabbed her leg really hard and then threw himself onto her in [an] effort to shield her," Hoover adds. "Jaelen always told Nicole he would protect her and he did until he couldn't anymore."

As Hoover put it in a message on the fundraiser, "Jaelen’s bravery in those final moments speaks to the incredible person he was — always putting others before himself."

Kai Ward, a roommate of Doggett, echoed the same sentiments during an interview with Fox affiliate KDFW.

"Nicole said the car actually lost so much control, they got hit from the back end of the car, and the driver side took all the impact,” Ward told the outlet. "Jae was driving. In his last moments, he tried to shield Nicole, and we think that’s probably what saved her."

Hoover, who also set up a GoFundMe for Doggett’s medical expenses and recovery, tells PEOPLE her friend sustained serious injuries from the crash, including a broken leg, arm, ribs and a collapsed lung.

Fortunately, in a positive update, Hoover says that as of Thursday, Jan. 23, Doggett is out of the ICU and "doing much better."

Although the days and months ahead "will be very hard on her," Doggett's loved ones are doing everything they can to be there for her.

Hoover adds, "All of her friends are very supportive and love her very much."