Zachary Harris, the teen that survived the deadly Tuesday crash in Donna, spoke with Action 4 News for the first time following the incident.
Elder Harris said he was exhausted from his injures both emotionally and physically, but added that once he recovers, he plans to get back to what he enjoys most, spreading the word of Jesus Christ.
The 19-year-old was riding side by side with Elder Trevor Reinhold Strong, 21, and Elder Derek Jason Walker, 20, on Tuesday night when they were struck by a car on Midway Road in Donna.
Elder Harris, an Alabama native, told Action 4 News he looks forward to continuing his mission in the Valley, and will always keep present the memory of Elders Strong and Walker.
"They were both very upright worthy men that really tried to serve their Lord and try to help others through the difficulties of this life by trying to invite them to come to Christ,” he said. “And as they did so they did it with love."
Harris said it was always an enjoyable experience working with Strong and Walker, and that in the short week he had worked with them he learned a lot from them.
Stephen Trayner, the mission president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in McAllen, said he believes Harris is a very strong man.
"He obviously took a tremendous amount of trauma,” Trayner added. “How he survived the accident, we are not certain, but we believe the Lord has allowed him to survive."
Trayner says Elder Harris has been battling emotionally with the fact that he survived and his fellow missionaries did not.
The Church continues planning funeral services for the two fallen missionaries.
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