The San Antonio community is currently processing the sudden loss of a well-regarded restaurant manager from the lauded La Familia Cortez Restaurants. Andres Casarez, who served as the general manager for Pico de Gallo, was tragically killed in a traffic incident on Interstate 37. As reported by KSAT, Casarez was attempting to walk back to his car parked on the side of the highway when he was struck by another vehicle.
On the evening of February 21, around 8:21 p.m., authorities were called to a sad scene on the southbound lanes of I-37, near U.S. Highway 281. Casarez had suffered serious injuries after being hit and was promptly taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, he did not survive the ordeal. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed, according to KSAT, that Casarez died from blunt force injuries and ruled his death an accident. Meanwhile, the driver who struck him stayed at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement officers, who have not filed charges.
In the wake of this tragedy, remembrances have flowed in from colleagues and the San Antonio community. La Familia Cortez Restaurants honored Casarez's impact, remembering him as a "beloved husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated General Manager." Tribute posts on social media characterized him as someone who "brought warmth, integrity, and a deep passion for hospitality to our familia," as stated by Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery in an Instagram post, and reported by MySA.
Those who worked closely with Casarez at Pico de Gallo and other affiliated establishments, which include popular spots like Mi Tierra, have expressed their sorrow. "His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy of kindness and dedication will forever remain in our hearts," Mi Tierra's statement detailed, as mentioned in both the KSAT article and a post by MySA. These reflections on his character serve not only to grieve a death but also to celebrate a life that evidently touched many within the San Antonio community.
