San Antonio Woman Still Fighting for Overpass Safety After Rock Attack

A Year Later, the Sound Still Haunts Her

Even one year later, Violeta Medlin said she can still hear the sound of a rock smashing her front windshield. As soon as I was going underneath (the train overpass), I heard, 'Pow!" she recalled of that March 2025 incident on San Pedro Avenue near Hildebrand Avenue. What followed was a terrifying moment where she managed to keep control of her vehicle despite the shattered glass blocking her vision.

Medlin said she pulled into a nearby gas station to call 911. Two weeks later, her car was fixed, but she said she was still in fear. The psychological impact proved more lasting than the physical damage. "I'm scared," Medlin said. "I'm still traumatized."

This wasn't an isolated incident. Dean DeSoto, the executive director of the Community Alliance for Traffic Safety in San Antonio, said this crime is not uncommon. Similar attacks have occurred at other San Antonio overpasses, with some victims suffering more severe consequences than a broken windshield.

Minimal Safety Improvements Despite Ongoing Danger

One year later, she said more needs to be done. "I don't want it to happen to anybody else," Medlin said. Her assessment of the current safety measures reveals the limited progress made since her attack.

There are a few streetlights on both sides of this overpass. A spokesperson with CPS Energy said those lights are not new. The existing infrastructure appears unchanged from when the incident occurred. "It's just the rails," she said. "Anybody can still stand there and do what they want to do."

Medlin is calling for cameras and gates to stop a crime like this from happening to someone else. These improvements represent basic security measures that could deter future attacks and help identify perpetrators. This week, a spokesperson for the San Antonio Police Department told KSAT no arrests have been made in Medlin's case.

The Broader Pattern of Overpass Attacks

Medlin's experience reflects a disturbing trend across San Antonio. When someone throws a brick or a rock from an overpass, it might break a windshield, but two or three inches or more, it could have killed somebody or seriously injured somebody. The potential for fatal outcomes makes these incidents far more serious than simple vandalism.

Other victims have faced similar ordeals at different locations throughout the city. These attacks demonstrate a pattern of dangerous criminal behavior that puts countless drivers at risk during their daily commutes. The psychological trauma extends beyond the immediate physical danger, creating lasting anxiety for victims who must continue using these routes.

A Call for Proactive Safety Measures

While major infrastructure projects continue throughout San Antonio, basic safety improvements at vulnerable overpasses remain stalled. The contrast is stark between the millions spent on highway expansions and the minimal investment in preventing these preventable attacks.

Medlin's advocacy highlights the need for comprehensive overpass security assessments. Simple deterrents like security cameras, improved lighting, and physical barriers could significantly reduce these incidents. Her persistent voice serves as a reminder that public safety shouldn't require a tragedy to prompt action.

The question remains whether San Antonio officials will implement meaningful safety measures before another driver faces what Medlin endured. Her year-long fight demonstrates that preventing future attacks requires more than hope – it demands concrete action and sustained commitment to protecting the traveling public.