Moncerrat Martinez Maldonando Killed in San Antonio Pedes...
19-year-old driver arrested on racing and reckless driving charges following deadly collision on Southwest Military Drive
Moncerrat Martinez Maldonando, 17, was killed in a pedestrian crash on Southwest Military Drive near Mango Avenue in San Antonio, Texas, on June 28, according to the city police department.
Officers arrested 19-year-old Vynzell Edward McGarity on charges of racing on a highway causing serious bodily injury or death and reckless driving. Three people inside the vehicle were initially detained for questioning before the driver was taken into custody.
A white Dodge Charger was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed while racing a second vehicle. The driver, McGarity, changed lanes and struck the teenager as she crossed the street, continuing for approximately two blocks before stopping.
Paramedics pronounced Maldonando dead at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by local authorities.
Families dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one due to illegal street racing face a complex path to justice. While criminal charges address the state's case against the driver, parallel civil proceedings are often necessary to secure restitution for the victim's estate.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, “Reckless racing on public roads shows a level of disregard for pedestrian safety going well beyond ordinary speeding or distraction. Excessive speed combined with unpredictable lane changes leaves almost no margin for anyone nearby to react safely.”
"Legal counsel quickly secures surveillance footage, cellphone records, and vehicle data while building a strong case for grieving relatives seeking accountability and justice, working to protect surviving relatives from insurance companies," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Investigators will analyze skid marks, vehicle data recorders, and witness statements to reconstruct the Dodge Charger's exact speed and lane changes. Identifying the second racing vehicle remains a priority, as multiple parties can share liability in organized street racing collisions under Texas law.
When a driver is arrested for reckless driving and racing, the victim's family has specific legal avenues to pursue accountability. In cases involving gross negligence, such as street racing, families may also have grounds to pursue punitive damages against the at-fault parties.
Texas wrongful death statute
Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.001, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Texas applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral expenses, and mental anguish.
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected,” noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.