Earlier this month a 17-year-old San Antonio youth battling cancer who was set to receive a Make-A-Wish Foundation gift died just days before he was able to receive his last wish.

According to reports, Diego Rodriguez was shot and killed as he attempted to take a gun from a 15-year-old boy. As the teens scuffled the firearm discharged and struck Rodriguez in the chest, robbing him prematurely of his Make-A-Wish gift. Authorities have since charged the other youth with murder.

Final Wish

Struggling to make sense of the mindless tragedy, Rodriguez's family reflected on the final request he made during his lifetime. The teen had requested from the Make-A-Wish Foundation assistance in seeing his grandfather's Chevy S10 pickup truck restored before his death.

Rodriguez was diagnosed with leg cancer two years ago, and as a way of trying to lift his spirits his mother promised him she would give him his grandfather's truck if he made it to see his 16th birthday.

To make the promise come to life, family members reached out to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"He was...really super excited," said Jason Pena, manager of BlackJack Speed Shop, which is owned by retired NBA great Tim Duncan. "He wanted his truck redone and he wanted it redone by BlackJack Speed Shop."

Tim Duncan Meeting

Duncan was reportedly scheduled to meet Rodriguez in early August to present him with the newly restored truck. The overhaul plans for the vehicle included a new paint job, custom interior, upgraded suspension as well as new wheels and tires.

Although Rodriguez is now deceased, Make-A-Wish officials have indicated they plan to follow through with the work on the family truck, hoping that it will serve as a pleasant reminder to the teen's friends and family of all he stood for and loved in life.

"There is nothing we can do to make up for (Rodriguez's) loss, but we hope that his car will be a great reminder to his mother that the realization of their dream and the community [that] they had made a difference for him and gave him strength," said Katrina Brewer, CEO of the South Texas chapter of Make-A-Wish.

Plans now call for the vehicle to be unveiled at Diego's funeral and it will be included as part of the funeral procession.

The 23-year-old old truck is valued at no more than $1,500, while the planned overhaul costs are estimated at around $15,000.

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