Texas Accident & Injury News
Street racing often ends in tragedy.
19-Year-Old Driver Arrested After Street Racing Accident Kills Teen Pedestrian
According to a News4SanAntonio report, a driver has been arrested after a tragic street racing accident Sunday night.¹
Police reported the accident happened at around 10:22 p.m. Sunday, June 28th, in the 1100 block of Southwest Military Drive.
Investigators say a white Dodge Charger was speeding on Southwest Military Drive while racing another vehicle when the driver changed lanes and struck a 17-year-old girl who was crossing the street.
The driver continued for approximately two blocks before stopping.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and was later identified by her family as Moncerrat Martinez.
Police detained three occupants of the Dodge Charger for questioning before arresting the driver, identified as 19-year-old Vynzell Edward McGarity. He was charged with racing causing serious bodily injury or death.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Did You Know?
There were 24,126 crashes across Texas in 2024 involving drivers traveling at unsafe speeds, according to TxDOT crash data.²
When Street Racing Ends in Tragedy
Street racing isn’t just dangerous for the people behind the wheel. More often than not, it’s innocent people who pay the highest price.
The people injured or killed are often drivers heading home from work, families traveling through an intersection, or pedestrians who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Unlike a closed racetrack, public roads are full of people who never agreed to accept the risks that come with racing.
Why Street Racing Is So Dangerous
Street racing involves much more than driving fast.
Drivers are focused on beating each other rather than watching traffic, pedestrians, or changing road conditions. They may weave between vehicles, ignore traffic signals, or make aggressive lane changes, all while traveling at speeds far above the posted limit.
Common dangers include:
- Excessive speed
- Aggressive lane changes
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Reduced reaction time
- Racing through busy intersections
At higher speeds, every second matters. A driver has less time to recognize a hazard, and everyone else has less time to react.
Pedestrians Have Almost No Chance to Escape
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable people on the road because they have nothing protecting them from the force of a collision.
Street racing makes that danger even greater.
People naturally judge when it’s safe to cross based on the speed of approaching traffic. When a vehicle is racing, it closes that distance much faster than most people expect, leaving little or no opportunity to get out of the way.
These crashes frequently result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Multiple fractures
- Internal injuries
- Wrongful death
Even if a pedestrian is crossing lawfully, excessive speed can make a collision impossible to avoid.
Both Racers May Share Responsibility
Many people assume that only the driver who struck the victim can be held responsible. That’s not always the case.
When two or more drivers agree to race on public streets, they may all contribute to creating the dangerous situation that led to the crash.
Depending on the facts, investigators may examine whether another participant in the race shares civil liability, even if their vehicle never made contact with the victim.
Every case is different, but responsibility isn’t always limited to the driver who caused the impact.
Criminal Charges and Civil Claims Are Separate
Street racing that results in serious injuries or death often leads to criminal charges.
However, a criminal case is separate from any civil claim brought by the victim or the victim’s family.
While prosecutors focus on determining whether a crime was committed, a wrongful death or personal injury claim focuses on recovering compensation for the losses caused by the crash. One case does not prevent the other, and they often proceed at the same time.
After a Fatal Street Racing Accident
Losing a loved one because someone chose to race on public roads is devastating.
Families are often left grieving while facing funeral expenses, unexpected financial burdens, and countless unanswered questions. If another driver’s negligence caused the crash, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim.
While no legal action can undo such a heartbreaking loss, holding the responsible party accountable not only provides finacial stability, but closure to grieving families.
Lost a Loved One in a Street Racing Accident? Call Shaw.
Street racing cases often involve multiple drivers, criminal investigations, and disputed liability. An experienced wrongful death attorney can help preserve evidence, identify every potentially responsible party, and protect your family’s rights.
If your family lost someone because of another driver’s reckless actions, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Funeral Expenses
- Burial Costs
- Medical Bills Incurred Before Death
- Loss of Financial Support
- Loss of Companionship
- Wrongful Death Damages
- And More
We’ll help you find out for free.
Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today or use our live chat to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced wrongful death attorneys in San Antonio. No fees, no obligations, just straightforward legal guidance from a firm that puts clients first.
We look forward to serving you.
²TxDOT Crash Contributing Factors