San Antonio, TX (April 2, 2026) – A suspected street racing crash on Culebra Road on Tuesday evening claimed the lives of a 12-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man on San Antonio’s west side.
The collision happened around 6:36 p.m. in the 1200 block of Culebra Rd. Investigators reported that witnesses saw multiple vehicles racing in the area, including a sedan and a truck. During the incident, the sedan, driven by Raul Gallegos, was traveling west when it lost control, spun into oncoming traffic, and struck another vehicle.
A 12-year-old passenger, identified as Jonathan Rivera, was pronounced dead at the scene. Gallegos was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, a 66-year-old woman, was also taken to a hospital for treatment.
A second vehicle believed to be involved in the racing reportedly left the scene before emergency units arrived. No additional identifying details about that driver have been released.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.
How Street Racing Increases the Risk of Deadly Crashes
Street racing often involves high speeds and sudden maneuvers on public roads. These conditions reduce reaction time and make it harder for drivers to stay in control, especially in areas with regular traffic.
When vehicles race side by side, drivers may focus more on each other than on the road ahead. This can lead to loss of control, especially if one vehicle swerves or encounters unexpected traffic.
Crashes linked to racing can also involve other drivers who are not part of the activity. These situations can quickly turn dangerous, particularly on city streets where traffic patterns often change, and space is limited.
