A quiet night on the East Side turned deadly Tuesday when a speeding car slammed into a home, killing 70-year-old Janice Walker. She was sitting on her front porch just before 11 p.m., police said, when the car jumped the curb, hit a retaining wall, and plowed into the front of the house. The driver ditched the vehicle and ran; officers are now searching for the suspect.
What police say
San Antonio police rushed to the 100 block of Dafoste Avenue around 11 p.m., where a black Mercedes-Benz E-Class had smashed into a residence, according to San Antonio Express-News. Investigators say the driver was heading south at high speed, failed to make a curve, struck a retaining wall, and barreled into the home. Medics took Walker to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Driver fled and investigation underway
Witnesses and officers said the driver got out and ran after the crash, and FOX San Antonio reported the vehicle hopped a curb before entering the home. Detectives have cordoned off the area, collecting evidence and reconstructing the wreck. The driver remains at large.
Speeding’s toll in Texas
The crash underscores a statewide problem: TxDOT says speed contributed to nearly 160,000 crashes in Texas in 2024 and played a role in 1,467 deaths, prompting enforcement campaigns. Speeding slashes reaction time and raises the odds a vehicle will leave the roadway — with deadly consequences on residential streets.
Potential charges
When found, the driver is expected to face a collision-involving-death charge, San Antonio Express-News reports. Prosecutors will evaluate the case after investigators complete scene work and review the evidence.
What’s next
Police are still looking for the driver, FOX San Antonio reported. This is an active investigation, and we’ll update as authorities release more information.
