Man Dead, Crime Stoppers Asking the Public for Help After Hit-and-Run Crash on U.S. 281

According to a News4SanAntonio report, Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information related to a fatal hit-and-run crash that happened in October.¹

Police reported the crash happened around 2:09 a.m. Saturday, October 17th, along the 2200 block of U.S. Highway 281 North.

Juan Sabas Reyes, 33, was traveling southbound on a motorcycle when he was struck by a white pickup truck and severely injured.

The truck initially stopped, but its driver left as emergency vehicles were arriving and before police reached the scene.

Reyes succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash is being investigated as a failure to stop and render aid.

Crime Stoppers may offer up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information can submit a tip by calling 210-224-7867 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.

Did You Know?

According to TxDOT data, one person was killed in a traffic accident in Texas every 2 hours and 19 minutes in 2025.²

Do Families Have Recovery Options After a Fatal Hit-and-Run?

A fatal hit-and-run leaves families with two major questions: who caused the crash, and what happens if that person cannot be found?

Those questions don’t have to be answered at the same time.

Police may continue searching for the driver while a civil investigation focuses on preserving evidence and reviewing insurance coverage.

A fatal hit-and-run can involve several possible paths toward compensation, including a claim against the responsible driver if they are identified and uninsured motorist coverage, when applicable.

An Unknown Driver Does Not Mean There Are No Recovery Options

When police have not identified the hit-and-run driver, the family cannot pursue that person’s liability insurance because no driver or policy has been located yet.

But that does not mean the case has to stop.

While law enforcement continues trying to identify the driver, an independent civil investigation can focus on preserving evidence and determining whether insurance coverage is already available to the victim or qualifying family members.

If the driver is later identified, their insurance, vehicle ownership, and other potentially responsible parties can also be investigated.

What If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found?

Uninsured motorist coverage can provide a source of compensation in some hit-and-run cases.

Texas insurers generally must offer UM/UIM coverage unless the named insured rejects it in writing.³

In a fatal motorcycle crash, the victim’s motorcycle or auto policies should be reviewed carefully. Other policies under which the victim qualified as an insured may also need to be examined.

Coverage depends on the policy language, who qualifies as an insured, and the facts of the crash.

The important point is that the disappearance of the other driver does not automatically end the insurance investigation.

Your Own Insurance Company Can Still Dispute the Claim

A UM claim is made through an insurance policy covering the victim, but that does not mean the insurer will automatically agree with the family’s position.

The insurer can still dispute:

• Whether the policy provides coverage
• Who qualifies as an insured
• Whether the unidentified driver caused the crash
• The extent of the damages
• The value of the wrongful death claim

That is why these claims can become complicated even when the family is dealing with its own insurer.

What Happens If Police Find the Driver?

If investigators identify the driver, the criminal case and civil claim remain separate.

Police and prosecutors focus on whether a crime occurred.

A wrongful death claim focuses on whether the driver’s negligence caused the death and what losses resulted.

Once the driver is identified, an investigation can also examine:

• The driver’s auto insurance
• Who owned the vehicle
• Whether another insurance policy applies
• Whether another person or company shares responsibility

It is often the case that drivers flee the scene of accidents because they were driving without insurance, so even if the driver is found, families may still need to pursue a UM claim to cover some or all of the loses.

How a Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help After a Fatal Hit-and-Run

A fatal hit-and-run can involve several moving parts at once: a police investigation, disappearing evidence, unanswered insurance questions, and a possible civil claim.

An experienced wrongful death attorney can help coordinate those issues while protecting the family’s legal rights.

At Carabin Shaw, our attorneys can:

• Preserve surveillance and dashcam footage
• Locate and interview witnesses
• Review crash reports and physical evidence
• Investigate the unidentified vehicle
• Review UM/UIM and other insurance policies
• Identify additional responsible parties if the driver is found
• Deal with insurance companies
• Document the family’s wrongful death losses

Having an attorney involved early also gives the family the best opportunity to preserve evidence and pursue the full compensation available under Texas law.

What Compensation Can Families Recover After a Fatal Hit-and-Run?

When another driver’s negligence causes a fatal crash, eligible surviving family members may be able to recover wrongful death damages such as:

• Loss of Financial Support
• Loss of Companionship and Guidance
• Mental Pain and Anguish
• Loss of Household Services
• Other Wrongful Death Damages
• And More

A separate survival claim may also be available through the deceased person’s estate for certain losses suffered before death.

Crime Victims’ Compensation May Be a Last-Resort Resource

Families affected by a fatal hit-and-run may also qualify for the Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, which includes hit-and-run offenses among potentially eligible crimes.⁴

However, CVC is generally a payer of last resort. Insurance, lawsuit recoveries, restitution, and other available benefits may affect what the program will pay.

If a family is pursuing both CVC benefits and a civil claim, the two should be coordinated carefully because a later insurance or lawsuit recovery may affect benefits already paid.

For eligible families whose losses are not fully covered elsewhere, CVC may help with certain qualifying expenses such as funeral costs or counseling.

If you’re unsure whether to pursue insurance benefits, a wrongful death claim, Crime Victims’ Compensation, or a combination of available options, an experienced attorney can review your situation and advise you on the best path forward.

You Do Not Have to Wait for the Driver to Be Found to Talk to a Lawyer

Families do not need to wait for an arrest before preserving evidence, reviewing insurance coverage, or protecting a potential wrongful death claim.

Police can continue searching for the person who fled while a civil attorney works on the family’s side of the case.

Lost a Loved One in a Hit-and-Run Accident? Call Shaw.

If your family lost a loved one because of a negligent hit-and-run driver in San Antonio, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Loss of Financial Support
• Loss of Companionship
• Mental Pain and Anguish
• Loss of Household Services
• Other Wrongful Death Damages
• And More

We’ll help you find out for free.

At Carabin Shaw, we put Clients First. Our experienced wrongful death attorneys can preserve evidence, deal with insurance companies, and help your family pursue the full compensation available under Texas law.

Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 for a free case evaluation. There are no fees, no obligations, and no pressure, just compassionate legal guidance when you need it most.

We look forward to serving you.

 

Sources

¹ News4SanAntonio Report

² TxDOT Texas Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Facts 2025

³ Texas Department of Insurance — Uninsured Motorist Coverage

⁴ Texas Attorney General — Crime Victims’ Compensation Program