On Monday morning, a San Antonio man accused of hitting a bicyclist on Culebra Road in 2022 and then driving away went before a jury. Prosecutors say 38-year-old cyclist Geoffrey Shafer was riding in the left-hand lane when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Kenneth Relitz, who allegedly fled and left Shafer dying in the roadway. Investigators later pointed to blood and other traces in an abandoned car as key evidence linking Relitz to the crash. He is currently free on bond while the trial moves forward.
Trial set for Monday in Bexar County
The trial was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Monday, according to WOAI. The station reports the case stems from a September 2022 collision on the far West Side that left Shafer dead at the scene. Relitz is now being presented to a jury after what authorities have described as more than three years of investigation into the hit-and-run. Court records show his bond was set at $75,000 in April 2024, WOAI reports.
Evidence prosecutors say tied man to the crash
Investigators say the morning after the collision they discovered a damaged 2016 Volkswagen Golf less than half a mile from the crash scene, with paint transfer and what appeared to be a bicycle-tire imprint on its bumper, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News. Crime-scene photos reportedly documented blood on the hand brake, steering wheel and driver-side door. Laboratory testing later matched that blood to Relitz’s DNA, according to the outlet. Officials say those findings formed the basis for an arrest warrant and the charge of collision involving death.
Charges and what they mean
Relitz was arrested and booked on a charge of collision involving death, classified as a second-degree felony, according to KSAT. Under Texas law, a second-degree felony carries a possible sentence of two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, per the Texas Penal Code. As in any criminal case, the state must prove its allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, and defense attorneys are expected to scrutinize and challenge the forensic evidence presented in court.
What to watch and local context
Culebra Road has been identified in local reporting as one of San Antonio’s most dangerous corridors for cyclists, with multiple fatal crashes recorded over the past decade, the San Antonio Express-News has noted. Court watchers say jurors in Relitz’s case will likely focus heavily on the forensic record, including the DNA testing, as well as any eyewitness accounts or surveillance footage that may be introduced. The verdict will determine whether Relitz faces the full range of penalties tied to a conviction for collision involving death.
