The streets of San Antonio have recently become battlegrounds for a dangerous and illicit activity – street racing. In a concerted effort to address this escalating issue, the San Antonio police have intensified their crackdown on street racing, resulting in a flurry of arrests and ticketing as reported in various publications. According to published reports, the police took swift action on October 27, responding to numerous complaints of rampant street racing activities that posed significant risks to public safety. The San Antonio Police Department’s Facebook page detailed the aftermath of their operation, revealing that 24 individuals were apprehended, and a dozen vehicles were towed from across the city. The reported incidents ranged from individuals blocking intersections to engaging in reckless maneuvers such as donuts, all while exhibiting blatant disregard for law enforcement and causing damage to property.
The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated – street racing is a perilous endeavor that places the lives of everyone on San Antonio’s roads in jeopardy. The reckless behavior exhibited by those who participate in street races not only endangers their own lives but also poses an imminent threat to innocent bystanders and fellow motorists. It is imperative that those responsible for perpetuating such hazardous activities are held fully accountable for their actions.
The dire consequences of street racing were tragically underscored in June, when a horrific crash in the 8100 block of McCullough Avenue on San Antonio’s North Side claimed the lives of two individuals and left at least five others injured. This devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the deadly repercussions of illegal street racing and the devastation it can wreak upon unsuspecting victims and their families.
Similarly, in July, the streets of San Antonio bore witness to another harrowing street racing-related collision. Two vehicles, suspected to have been engaged in a street race, careened out of control, smashing into utility poles, parked vehicles, and even a residential property on Ferndale Street and Division Avenue on the Southwest Side. The aftermath of this chaotic scene serves as a chilling testament to the wanton destruction and havoc that can result from reckless street racing activities.
The recent crackdown by San Antonio police on October 27 serves as a stern response to the escalating menace of street racing in the city. The arrests made in the 600 block of West Theo on the city’s South Side followed a disturbing incident the previous night, where police were forced to intervene in a massive gathering of over 100 cars at the parking lot of the Bexar County Academy on the Northwest Side. Reports indicate that this assembly was not merely a social gathering but rather a hub for illegal racing activities, with participants engaging in dangerous maneuvers such as spinning and racing within the confines of the parking lot. In total, at least eight individuals were arrested at this location and another site, underscoring the severity with which law enforcement agencies are addressing the issue of street racing in San Antonio.
The crackdown on street racing by San Antonio police is a critical step in combating this pervasive threat to public safety. The recent spate of arrests and enforcement actions sends a clear message that illegal street racing will not be tolerated in the city. However, addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses not only enforcement but also education and community engagement. By raising awareness about the dangers of street racing and fostering a culture of responsibility among motorists, we can work towards creating safer streets for all residents of San Antonio.
Street Racing in San Antonio
Street racing is a public nuisance popular in Texas cities such as Dallas, Houston, Austin and Lubbock, as well as in other large cities, like Los Angeles and New York.
Street racing is typically defined as illegal drag races between two vehicles on stretches of public road. Groups that have recently gathered in San Antonio appear to be spending less time drag racing and more time blocking roads, spinning in circles (“doing donuts”) and drifting, an oversteering technique in which drivers force their cars to slide sideways as they turn.
Drifting has been made popular by the “Fast and Furious” movie franchise and 2006’s “Tokyo Drift.” Street racing drag races in popular culture date to at least “Rebel Without a Cause,” the 1954 James Dean classic.
Street racing in its most recent form has been a recurring problem in San Antonio since at least 2012, according to a KENS 5 report.
Texas law makes racing on public highways illegal.
This includes participating in:
- a race
- a vehicle speed competition or contest
- a drag race or acceleration contest
- a test of physical endurance of the operator of a vehicle (i.e., long-distance or marathon competitions)
- an exhibition of vehicle speed or acceleration or attempt to set a vehicle speed record in connection with a drag race.
Racing is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000, plus a driver’s license suspension for up to one year. If a racer is intoxicated or has an open container of alcohol, it is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000 or both, and suspension of the driver’s license.
Causing bodily injury while street racing is a 3rd degree felony punishable upon conviction by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Causing serious bodily injury or death while racing illegally is a 2nd degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
A street racer may also be charged with speeding and/or reckless driving, as well as with evading a police officer if the driver attempts to flee.
“Our Officers will continue to be proactive and respond to these incidents. We will not tolerate this behavior in our City!” the SAPD says in its October Facebook post.
Common Injuries from Street Racing Accidents
Our San Antonio car accident attorneys at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. are familiar with the types of serious injuries seen in street racing accidents.
Drivers and passengers involved in the race, as well as other innocent drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists face such injuries as:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken bones (fractures)
- Back and spinal cord injuries, potentially including paralysis.
- Internal organ injuries
- Amputations (traumatic or surgical)
- Burns
These types of injuries require emergency medical care and often hospitalization, which may include surgery and rehabilitation. In addition to medical expenses, people who suffer serious personal injuries lose income while out of work and may be unable to return to their previous jobs or any type of employment due to disabling injuries. If the injuries were caused by another driver’s disregard for safety, the accident victim may have a right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income and other expenses.
Contact a San Antonio Car Accident Attorney
The losses suffered by innocent people injured in street racing accidents may be recovered through legal claims against the individuals responsible for the crash. This includes money for medical bills, lost income, property damage and for pain and suffering. Because a defendant was engaged in illegal street racing at the time of the accident, additional compensation awarded as punitive damages might also be available in a court case.
The car accident attorneys of Herrman & Herrman in San Antonio would like to meet with you if you or a loved one of yours has been injured in a car accident caused by street racing, or other reckless driving by someone else. We have English- and Spanish-speaking staff at our offices in San Antonio and elsewhere in south Texas ready to assist you and evaluate whether you have a valid street racing accident lawsuit.
Contact Herrman & Herrman today at (361) 882-4357 or fill out our online contact form to set up a free, no obligation initial legal consultation. We do not charge for our legal services unless we recover money for you. If you have suffered a preventable injury or death in the family, we can provide you with a clear understanding of your legal rights. If you deserve to be compensated for your losses, we will aggressively pursue the maximum settlement available. Call us now.
