San Antonio, TX — July 8, 2024, a 15-year-old boy was injured in a hit-and-run accident at about 9:30 p.m. on Windfield Path near Dunlap Fields.

A preliminary incident report indicates a Dodge Charger was headed west on the residential street when it hit a pedestrian. The car did not stop after the collision.

The pedestrian, a 15-year-old boy, suffered suspected serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities.

The driver of the car that hit the boy has not been identified.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I see reports of a hit-and-run crash like this, my first thought is that the injured boy and his family deserve answers. A driver leaving the scene makes it that much harder to determine what happened, but that doesn’t mean the investigation should stop there. Before anyone can fully understand this crash, there are three key questions that need to be addressed.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? In hit-and-run cases, identifying the driver is the top priority, but that shouldn’t come at the expense of reconstructing the crash itself. Did investigators document tire marks, debris or surveillance footage from nearby homes? Were there any witnesses who saw the Charger before or after the crash? A proper investigation should focus not only on finding the driver but also on understanding the circumstances leading up to the collision.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect played a role? While most hit-and-run crashes are assumed to involve reckless driving or poor decision-making, it’s also possible that the driver lost control due to a mechanical failure. The Dodge Charger is a high-performance vehicle, and certain models have been known to experience stability or braking issues under certain conditions. If the driver panicked due to an unexpected mechanical issue, it might explain why they fled. Of course, that doesn’t excuse leaving the scene, but it does highlight why the vehicle should be examined if and when it’s found.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? Since the driver left the scene, digital evidence could be the key to finding them. Nearby surveillance cameras, doorbell cameras or dashcams could provide a clear image of the car. Additionally, if authorities locate the vehicle, its engine control module could reveal how fast it was going, whether the brakes were applied or if the driver made any attempt to avoid the pedestrian. Cell phone records could also help place the vehicle at the scene if the driver was using their phone around the time of the crash.

Crashes like this leave families with more questions than answers, and the least the community owes them is a full and thorough investigation. If any of these three questions remain unresolved, there’s a chance that key details are being overlooked. Until we know exactly what happened and why, we simply don’t have the full story.