A late-night parking lot in downtown San Antonio turned dangerous for a 26-year-old man who was sleeping on the pavement when a vehicle ran over him and dragged him early Saturday, police said. The crash happened just before 2 a.m. in the 500 block of East César E. Chávez Boulevard, and the man was taken to a hospital with what were described as minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
According to police, the man was dragged several feet before the vehicle, described by officers as a maroon passenger car, briefly stopped and then took off without offering any help. The San Antonio Police Department said the driver will face a charge of collision involving injury once identified, and that detectives are still working the case, as reported by KSAT.
State, City Officials Say Downtown Corridors Need Focus
Traffic safety specialists have long warned that downtown corridors and connector roads can be especially hazardous for people on foot, particularly at night when visibility drops and road layouts can confuse drivers and pedestrians alike. Those concerns have pushed local and state agencies to zero in on these streets with a mix of engineering changes, enforcement efforts and public education campaigns that aim to bring down crash and hit-and-run numbers. According to TxDOT, the San Antonio district is placing a strong emphasis on cutting traffic fatalities through those three approaches.
Investigators Piecing Together Surveillance And Witness Leads
SAPD said detectives are now combing through surveillance footage and talking to witnesses in an effort to identify the maroon car and whoever was behind the wheel. When that driver is located, police said they intend to pursue a charge of collision involving injury. The department has not released further identifying information, and KSAT reported that the victim’s injuries remain characterized as minor and not life-threatening.
The area around César E. Chávez Boulevard has seen other serious incidents in recent months, highlighting the risks for anyone walking or sleeping near busy ramps and service roads. In February, a separate case involved a man found dead on I-35 near W. César E. Chávez Boulevard, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Authorities say the investigation into Saturday’s hit-and-run remains active and that updates will be provided as new details emerge.
