Street Racing Suspect Arrested After Deadly Crash Kills Uncle and Nephew

Fatal Crash Claims Two Lives

A devastating street racing crash that claimed the lives of a 12-year-old boy and his 20-year-old uncle has resulted in the arrest of a suspect who allegedly fled the scene. San Antonio police officers have identified and arrested a suspect in connection with a West Side crash that killed a 12-year-old boy and his 20-year-old uncle last week, with Jose Juan Nagera accused of racing another vehicle moments before the March 17 crash .

Jonathan Rivera, the 12-year-old victim, died from his injuries the following day, while his uncle Raul Gallegos Jr. was pronounced dead at the hospital on Thursday . Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene, with the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office determining his cause of death was blunt force injuries . The tragedy occurred when the 20-year-old man lost control of the sedan at some point and crashed into another vehicle while heading westbound on Culebra Road .

Investigation Leads to Arrest

Police identified the suspect as Jose Juan Nagera, 38, who is accused of racing in connection with the crash and is facing a charge of racing causing death, with Nagera arrested Saturday on two counts of racing causing serious injuries . In the days following the crash, investigators located the suspect's vehicle in the area, identifying it based on unique features described by witnesses and captured on dash camera video, with the video showing the truck involved had special features that police were able to identify .

The investigation revealed crucial evidence through witness testimony and surveillance footage. Based on those images, police said they tracked down the truck, then spoke to Nagera who admitted to being the owner, with the affidavit stating when detectives questioned Nagera, he initially denied racing before authorities said Nagera admitted he was behind the wheel of the truck . According to the report, Nagera acknowledged that the truck seen in the dashcam footage was his and said he had left a nearby store, but did not admit to participating in a race .

Community Impact and Legal Consequences

The crash has intensified concerns about street racing in San Antonio, particularly affecting innocent bystanders. Initially, three people — the 12-year-old boy, 20-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman — were rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, though the latest on the 66-year-old woman's condition is unclear . This elderly woman, who was simply driving through the intersection, became an unintended victim of the reckless racing.

Street racing is outlawed in San Antonio and Texas, and carries penalties that could include hefty fines, a loss of driving privileges and/or the forfeiture of vehicles . "This should be a reminder — please don't race," said SAPD Public Information Officer Sharavious Jackson, noting that "A child is dead, another person is seriously hurt, and there's still someone out there who fled," with the crash renewing concerns about street racing in San Antonio and city leaders calling for action .

Path Forward

Jose Juan Nagera, 38, was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center on Sunday, March 22, 2026, jail records show . The case highlights the deadly consequences of illegal street racing and the importance of holding participants accountable, regardless of whether they directly caused the crash. As San Antonio grapples with this recurring problem, the deaths of Jonathan Rivera and Raul Gallegos Jr. serve as a stark reminder that split-second decisions to engage in dangerous driving can destroy multiple families and communities.

The successful arrest demonstrates law enforcement's commitment to pursuing justice even when suspects flee the scene. With dashcam technology and witness cooperation proving crucial to the investigation, this case may set a precedent for how authorities handle future street racing incidents that result in fatalities.