One man was killed while another person was seriously hurt after a deadly street-racing crash in San Antonio’s northwest side on Wednesday, September 29.
According to the initial reports from local authorities, the accident happened in the 800-block of Prue Road near Kyle Seale Parkway. A BMW and a Mercedes were racing side-by-side eastbound near Kyle Seale Parkway.
The Mercedes attempted to pass the BMW after driving through a signal light at Kyle Seale Parkway, while the BMW crossed the double yellow line and veered into the oncoming lanes before accelerating and passing the Mercedes.
As the BMW drove up a hill, they then attempted to swerve to the right but collided head-on with an oncoming Nissan. Due to the severity of the impact, the BMW started to spin out of control and landed into a ditch before hitting a fire hydrant. The Nissan also spun around before slipping into a ditch.
The Nissan driver sustained life-threatening injuries in the mishap. He was rushed to University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Meanwhile, the BMW driver was also hospitalized with severe injuries. Authorities later determined that the BMW driver was under the influence at the time of the accident.
The BMW driver will be booked by proxy for Racing-SBI, Racing-Death, Manslaughter, and Intoxication Manslaughter. On the other hand, the Mercedes driver was arrested for Racing-SBI, Racing-Death, and Manslaughter.
Fatal Street Racing Crash Statistics
There are minimal statistics when it comes to street-racing accidents. But currently, the NHTSA reports that there were approximately 800 people killed due to illegal street racing crashes in the first half of the last decade.
California led in the number of street-racing traffic fatalities with around 188 reported street racing-related deaths, while Texas came in second with 128 deaths. Even more alarming, fatalities from street racing accidents jumped by more than 33% in the second half of the decade.
Unlike other fatal accidents, road racing fatalities were more likely to occur on urban highways and nearly six times more likely to occur at travel speeds ≥ 65 mph. In a high-speed impact crash, a passenger car cannot withstand the force of the impact, which can easily crush a vehicle. The higher the speeds are, the less effective restraint systems like airbags and seat belts are.
Bexar County Wrongful Death Attorney for Victims of Fatal Street-Racing Accidents
Street racing is illegal in most states and can result in high-speed accidents that can lead to traumatic injuries and even death to those involved. If you have been injured or if an irresponsible street racer killed your loved one, you have the right to hold them accountable for their negligence.
Wrongful death claims can help victims receive damages such as hospital bills, lost wages, and accidental damage they caused. The law obliges the liable party to reimburse the victim for hospital bills, funeral costs, the pain and suffering of the deceased, and the loss of society in the event of an unjustified death.
Are you a Texas resident who was involved in a fatal car accident? You can contact our seasoned Texas auto accident attorneys at Arash Law Texas. Book a free consultation now so you can be sure that a competent lawyer will defend your rights. For a free consultation, call (888) 3984017 or fill out our online registration form.