Tragedy on Loop 1604: How a Late-Night Pedestrian Crash Exposes Texas Trucking Dangers

A Life Cut Short on San Antonio’s Most Dangerous Corridor

Just before 11 p.m. on a Saturday evening in February 2026, a routine walk along North Loop 1604 East near Bulverde Road turned fatal. According to the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office, a 27-year-old man was struck by a vehicle attempting to enter Loop 1604 from the access road. The blunt force injuries proved immediately fatal. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with San Antonio Police Department investigators—but cooperation doesn’t erase the tragedy, and it certainly doesn’t answer the critical questions that haunt the victim’s family and the surrounding community.

This wasn’t just another traffic accident. It was a preventable collision that occurred in one of San Antonio’s most complex and dangerous traffic environments—a frontage road transitioning into a high-speed entrance ramp. The kind of zone where visibility changes in seconds, where driver expectations shift without warning, and where pedestrians are often an afterthought in road design. For residents of nearby neighborhoods like Encino Ranch, Cibolo Canyon Village, and Stone Oak, this stretch of road is part of daily life. For the victim’s family, it’s now the site of unimaginable loss.

At Attorney911, we’ve seen this pattern too many times. When a crash like this happens in a transition zone—where vehicles move from access roads to entrance ramps—there are always critical questions about visibility, lane positioning, vehicle speed relative to conditions, and driver reaction times. These aren’t just technical details. They’re the difference between life and death.

And in Texas, where trucking is the backbone of our economy, these questions demand answers.

The Deadly Reality of Loop 1604 Access Roads

Locals know Loop 1604’s frontage roads can be treacherous. These aren’t just regular streets. They’re complex transition zones where vehicles move from access roads to entrance ramps and then merge toward the main lanes. Near Bulverde Road, the challenges multiply:

• Nighttime lighting varies dramatically, with some stretches well-lit and others shrouded in darkness
• Traffic volumes shift rapidly, especially on weekends when commercial and passenger vehicles mix
• Driver expectations change in seconds—one moment you’re on a local road, the next you’re merging onto a highway
• Pedestrian presence isn’t always obvious, but it’s very real

Pedestrians walk along frontage roads for many reasons:
– Walking to or from nearby neighborhoods
– Connecting with rideshare services
– Dealing with a disabled vehicle
– Simply choosing to walk rather than drive

The City of San Antonio has adopted Vision Zero principles that emphasize safer streets for people walking, biking, and driving. But Vision Zero is a goal, not a reality—especially on corridors like Loop 1604, where the infrastructure hasn’t caught up with the safety philosophy.

And here’s the hard truth: when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle in these transition zones, the outcome is almost always catastrophic. The physics are simple and brutal. A pedestrian weighing 150-200 pounds versus a vehicle weighing 3,000-4,000 pounds—or worse, an 18-wheeler weighing up to 80,000 pounds—isn’t a fair fight. The injuries are severe, and the fatality rate is high.

Why This Investigation Can’t Wait

Here’s what most families don’t realize: evidence disappears fast.

• Surveillance video from nearby businesses is typically overwritten within 7-30 days
• Event data recorder (EDR) information from vehicles can be lost if not preserved immediately
• Witness memories fade quickly, especially for details like vehicle speed or lighting conditions
• Physical evidence at the scene (skid marks, debris) is cleared within days
• Vehicle damage is repaired or the vehicle is returned to service

This is why Attorney911 sends spoliation letters immediately in cases like this. A spoliation letter is a formal legal notice demanding that all parties preserve evidence related to the incident. It puts the trucking company, their insurer, and any other potentially liable parties on notice that destroying evidence will have serious legal consequences.

Ralph Manginello, our managing partner with over 25 years of experience, has seen what happens when families wait too long to take action. “By the time some families contact us, critical evidence has already been lost,” he explains. “Black box data overwritten. Dashcam footage deleted. Maintenance records ‘misplaced.’ That’s why we move fast—because the trucking companies certainly will.”

The Legal Framework: Wrongful Death and Survival Claims in Texas

When a fatal collision occurs, Texas civil law provides two distinct legal avenues for families to seek justice and compensation:

Wrongful Death Claims

Under Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, certain surviving family members may bring a claim for their losses resulting from a death caused by the wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default of another person or entity.

Eligible claimants generally include:
– The spouse of the deceased
– Children (both minor and adult)
– Parents

What wrongful death claims cover:
– Loss of companionship and guidance
– Mental anguish and emotional suffering
– Lost financial contributions (if the deceased was a breadwinner)
– Funeral and burial expenses

Key point: If no eligible family member files a wrongful death claim within the required timeframe, the decedent’s estate representative may file on behalf of the statutory beneficiaries.

Survival Actions

Texas also recognizes survival claims, which preserve the decedent’s own cause of action so that it “survives” to the estate.

What survival claims cover:
– Conscious pain and suffering the deceased experienced before death
– Medical expenses incurred prior to death
– Lost wages between the injury and death

Why both claims matter: Wrongful death focuses on the family’s losses, while survival actions focus on the decedent’s own damages. Together, they provide a more complete picture of the harm caused.

Insurance Questions and Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Insurance coverage in pedestrian collisions is complex and multi-layered. Here’s what families need to understand:

Liability Insurance Basics

Texas requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance:
– $30,000 per injured person
– $60,000 per accident total for bodily injuries
– $25,000 for property damage

The problem: These minimums are woefully inadequate for fatal accidents. Many drivers carry more than the minimum, but some don’t. And if the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, recovery becomes much more difficult.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)

If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, your own UM/UIM coverage may step in. This coverage is optional in Texas, but it’s one of the most important protections you can have.

Key points about UM/UIM:
– It must be available on a household auto policy
– Policy language and notice requirements are strict
– You must notify your insurer promptly to preserve your rights

Lupe Peña, our associate attorney and former insurance defense lawyer, warns: “Insurance companies train their adjusters to minimize UM/UIM claims. They’ll look for any reason to deny or reduce your recovery. That’s why it’s critical to have an attorney review your policy and handle all communications.”

Recorded Statements and Releases: The Insurance Trap

Insurance companies often ask for recorded statements early in the process. They may also request signed medical authorizations and releases.

Here’s the danger:
– What you say in a recorded statement can be used against you later
– Broad medical releases can give access to unrelated medical records
– Early settlement offers are almost always lowball attempts to close the case quickly

Our firm’s policy: We advise clients never to give recorded statements without legal representation. What seems like a harmless conversation is actually a carefully orchestrated attempt to gather information that can be used to minimize your claim.

Preserving Evidence for Coverage Disputes

If coverage is contested, preserving evidence becomes critical. This includes:
– Photos and videos from the scene
– Vehicle data from event recorders
– Emergency response records
– A clear record of notice to all potentially involved insurers

Why this matters: Insurance companies will look for any gap in documentation to deny coverage. A well-documented case makes it much harder for them to avoid their obligations.

Evidence Families Can Preserve Early

Well before any civil claim is filed, families can take steps to preserve important evidence. Here’s what you can do:

Write Down What You Know

• Dates and times of the incident
• Landmarks and exact location
• Weather and lighting conditions
• Any details about the vehicle involved (make, model, color, license plate if possible)
• Names and contact information of witnesses

Why it matters: Small details fade quickly. What seems obvious now may be forgotten in a few weeks.

Collect Scene Photos and Maps

If safe and permitted:
– Gather photos that show signage, lane markings, and access ramp geometry
– Photograph nearby driveways and potential sight lines
– Take night photos if the crash occurred at night (lighting conditions change dramatically)
– Create a simple map of the area showing vehicle paths

Identify Witnesses

• Keep a simple log of names, phone numbers, and what each person recalls
• Don’t pressure anyone—just record the basics
• Ask if they’re willing to provide a statement later

Secure Digital Records

• Save texts, ride receipts, location history, and smartwatch activity
• Take screenshots with timestamps
• Preserve any contemporaneous notes or social media posts

Track Expenses and Time

• Funeral receipts
• Travel costs for memorial arrangements
• Time missed from work for memorial services or counseling appointments
• Counseling or therapy expenses

Ralph Manginello’s advice: “Start a simple single folder or notebook—digital or paper. Centralize everything. Families often feel overwhelmed by the number of agencies, forms, and deadlines that appear all at once. Organization reduces stress and ensures nothing gets lost.”

Supportive, Practical Steps During the First Weeks

In the first weeks after a loss, families juggle funeral arrangements with the need to secure records, understand benefits, and protect their legal options. Here’s how to organize what comes next:

Confirm Contacts with Agencies

• Note the SAPD case number and the investigator’s name
• Get the Bexar County Medical Examiner case reference
• Save all voicemails and emails from officials

Obtain Preliminary Records

• Request the crash report when available
• Ask the medical examiner’s office how and when autopsy records can be released to next of kin

Review Insurance Policies

• Locate automobile policies in the household to see if UM/UIM coverage exists
• Hold off on recorded statements until you have private legal guidance

Consider Counseling and Community Support

• San Antonio has numerous community groups and faith communities that provide support
• For immediate crisis support, the 988 Lifeline is available nationwide
• Website: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Document Memorial and Travel Costs

• Keep copies of every receipt
• These records can be relevant when later accounting for losses

Important note: If anyone reaches out claiming to offer legal services at the scene or within days of the crash, remember that Texas has strict rules about solicitation. Take your time and choose any professional help on your own terms.

What This Incident Teaches San Antonio Drivers and Pedestrians

This tragedy on Loop 1604 offers painful but important lessons for all of us who travel San Antonio’s roads:

For Drivers:

1. Transition zones require extra attention – When moving from access roads to entrance ramps, your speed, visibility, and lane positioning all change rapidly. Slow down and scan for pedestrians.
2. Nighttime visibility is deceptive – What seems well-lit from your perspective may be nearly invisible to a pedestrian. Assume pedestrians are present, even if you don’t see them.
3. Your reaction time matters – At 55 mph, you travel 80 feet per second. A 2-second delay means you’ve traveled 160 feet before even beginning to brake.
4. Distractions are deadly – Even a momentary glance at your phone can mean the difference between seeing a pedestrian and striking them.
5. Fatigue impairs judgment – If you’re driving late at night, especially after a long day, your ability to spot pedestrians and react appropriately is compromised.

For Pedestrians:

1. Assume drivers don’t see you – Even if you have the right of way, never assume a driver will stop.
2. Wear reflective clothing at night – A simple reflective vest or armband can dramatically increase your visibility.
3. Face traffic when walking – Texas law requires pedestrians to walk facing traffic when no sidewalk is available. This gives you the best chance to see and react to oncoming vehicles.
4. Avoid distractions – Put away your phone and remove headphones when walking near traffic.
5. Be especially cautious in transition zones – Areas where vehicles are merging or changing lanes are particularly dangerous.

For the City of San Antonio:

1. Improve lighting on access roads – Many stretches of Loop 1604’s frontage roads are poorly lit, creating dangerous conditions for pedestrians.
2. Install pedestrian warning signs – High-risk areas should have clear signage warning drivers of pedestrian presence.
3. Create safer pedestrian crossings – Where pedestrians must cross access roads or entrance ramps, marked crosswalks with warning lights can save lives.
4. Enhance Vision Zero implementation – The city’s commitment to eliminating traffic deaths must translate into concrete infrastructure improvements.
5. Increase enforcement of traffic laws – Speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield to pedestrians should be enforcement priorities.

Why This Case Could Be Different: The Potential for Corporate Accountability

While the initial reports don’t specify whether the vehicle involved was commercial, the location and timing raise important questions about corporate responsibility in our community.

Loop 1604 is a major commercial corridor. Trucks from companies like Werner Enterprises, J.B. Hunt, Swift Transportation, and countless local carriers travel this route daily. If this incident involved a commercial vehicle—even a smaller delivery truck—the legal landscape changes dramatically.

Here’s why:

Higher Insurance Limits

Commercial vehicles are required to carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000—25 times higher than the $30,000 minimum for passenger vehicles. This means there’s more potential compensation available for families.

Corporate Accountability

Trucking companies can be held liable for:
– Negligent hiring – Failing to properly vet drivers
– Negligent training – Not providing adequate safety instruction
– Negligent supervision – Failing to monitor driver behavior
– Negligent maintenance – Allowing unsafe vehicles on the road
– Pressure to violate regulations – Encouraging drivers to exceed hours of service limits

Pattern of Violations

Commercial carriers have safety records that are public information. If a company has a history of violations—especially in areas like driver fatigue, vehicle maintenance, or unsafe driving practices—this can strengthen a wrongful death claim.

Federal Regulations

The FMCSA maintains a Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program that tracks carrier safety performance. Poor CSA scores can be powerful evidence of a company’s disregard for safety.

Ralph Manginello explains: “When a commercial vehicle is involved, we’re not just looking at one driver’s mistake. We’re looking at a corporate culture. Did the company cut corners on training? Did they pressure drivers to meet unrealistic schedules? Did they ignore maintenance issues to save money? These are the questions that can turn a tragic accident into a case that changes how an entire company operates.”

The Attorney911 Difference: Why Experience Matters in Cases Like This

At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for accident victims across Texas for over 25 years. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has built a reputation for holding negligent parties accountable—whether they’re individual drivers or Fortune 500 corporations.

Here’s what sets our approach apart:

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

We don’t wait for evidence to disappear. Within hours of being retained, we:
– Send spoliation letters to all potentially liable parties
– Demand preservation of black box data, ELD records, and dashcam footage
– Secure surveillance video from nearby businesses before it’s overwritten
– Photograph the accident scene, vehicle damage, and road conditions

Ralph Manginello’s philosophy: “The first 48 hours are critical. That’s when the most important evidence is still available. If you wait a week, it may be gone forever.”

2. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Tactics

Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who knows exactly how insurance companies try to minimize claims. He’s seen the playbook from the inside—and now he uses that knowledge to fight for victims.

Lupe’s insight: “Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that hurt your case. They’ll call it a ‘routine interview,’ but it’s really an interrogation designed to limit your recovery. That’s why we never let our clients talk to insurance companies without representation.”

3. Deep Understanding of FMCSA Regulations

We don’t just know the regulations—we know how to prove violations. Our team understands:
– Hours of service rules and how to spot falsified logs
– Driver qualification requirements and negligent hiring claims
– Vehicle maintenance standards and how deferred repairs cause accidents
– Cargo securement regulations and how improper loading leads to crashes

Example: In a recent case, we proved that a trucking company had systematically falsified ELD records to hide hours-of-service violations. This evidence led to a multi-million dollar settlement for our client.

4. Willingness to Take Cases to Trial

Most personal injury cases settle out of court. But we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Why? Because insurance companies know which attorneys are willing to fight—and they offer better settlements to clients with trial-ready lawyers.

Ralph Manginello’s track record: “We’ve secured verdicts and settlements totaling over $50 million for our clients. That’s not because we’re lucky—it’s because we’re prepared to go the distance.”

5. Compassionate, Personalized Representation

We treat our clients like family. That means:
– Direct access to your attorney—not just a case manager
– Regular updates on your case progress
– Help navigating medical care and treatment options
– Support through the emotional challenges of recovery

Client testimonial (Glenda Walker): “They make you feel like family and even though the process may take some time, they make it feel like a breeze. They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

What You Should Do Right Now

If you’ve been affected by this incident—or if you’re concerned about the dangers on Loop 1604 and similar corridors—here’s what to do next:

If You’ve Lost a Loved One:

1. Call Attorney911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
2. Do not speak to insurance companies without legal representation
3. Start preserving evidence—photos, witness information, medical records
4. Request official documents—crash reports, medical examiner records
5. Take care of yourself and your family—seek counseling and community support

If You’re Concerned About Road Safety:

1. Report hazardous conditions to the City of San Antonio
2. Advocate for pedestrian safety improvements in your neighborhood
3. Share this information with friends and family who travel these roads
4. Be extra cautious when walking or driving in transition zones

If You’re a Driver Who Wants to Be Part of the Solution:

1. Slow down in areas with pedestrian traffic
2. Assume pedestrians are present—even if you don’t see them
3. Put away distractions—your phone can wait
4. Report unsafe drivers—you could save a life
5. Support Vision Zero initiatives—safer roads benefit everyone

Additional Resources

For more information on pedestrian safety, trucking regulations, and your legal rights, explore these resources:

YouTube Videos from Attorney911

• The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries – Understanding your rights after a commercial vehicle accident
• Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck? – Steps to take after a trucking accident
• The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents – How trucking cases differ from car accidents
• What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster? – Protecting your rights after an accident

Government Resources

• Texas Department of Transportation – Pedestrian Safety
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• Bexar County Medical Examiner
• San Antonio Police Department – Crash Reports

Support Organizations

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – 24/7 support for those in crisis
• Vision Zero San Antonio – Working to eliminate traffic deaths
• Texas Department of Insurance – Understanding your insurance rights

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and you should consult with an attorney about your specific situation. Attorney911 is a contingency fee law firm—you pay nothing unless we win your case.