SAN ANTONIO -- According to police 36-year-old Benito Garza and an unidentified second suspect committed a home invasion robbery in the 5100 block of Sagamore Dr. During the robbery, shots were reportedly fired.
Upon fleeing the scene the suspects’ vehicle was spotted by police, who engaged in an authorized pursuit. The pursuit was terminated by the officers when the suspects began driving the wrong way on Loop 410 north, thereby placing the public at great risk.
The officers, although no longer engaged in the pursuit, remained in the general area and attempted to monitor the suspect’s actions. The suspects continued driving the wrong way and eventually struck several vehicles, including a motorcycle with two riders near Old Pearsall Road.
The male operating the motorcycle was killed instantly in the crash and a female passenger was critically injured. The still-armed suspects fled the scene but were quickly apprehended by responding officers.
As the apprehension was being made, other officers responded to the crash scene and brought it under control.
The officers assisting the victims recognized that the female passenger had life-threatening injuries. One of the officers utilized his extensive training in first aid to treat her injuries until arrival of EMS. She was airlifted to a local hospital.
Reports from the hospital indicate that the officer's actions saved the woman's life.
The officers involved showed a great deal of restraint by backing off the chase say
Garza was booked for Murder, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Robbery, Failure to Stop and Render Aid, and Evading Arrest.
Friday's crash marks the second fatal accident caused by a suspect fleeing from police. A 3-year-old boy was killed on Wednesday by a suspect fleeing the scene of a drug raid in south Bexar County. Another child died on Friday from injuries suffered in that same crash.
