SAN ANTONIO – A teenage boy was fatally struck by an 18-wheeler early Monday morning on the near East Side.
San Antonio police said the boy, believed to be around 12 or 13 years old, was attempting to cross the interstate when he was struck by the driver of an 18-wheeler traveling east on Interstate 10 near Gevers Street.
San Antonio police department Chief William McManus said police began to receive calls about a boy with a backpack attempting to cross the interstate, and those reports indicated the boy had made it across the westbound lanes and was standing on the median before the accident.
“It was a child doing something extremely dangerous, trying to cross an interstate. The traffic moves so fast it’s difficult to judge the speed and you think you can make it across but before you know it, the traffic is on you,” said McManus. “So never ever stay on the interstate if you don’t have to or try to cross an interstate for any reason."
Police have not released the name or age of the victim.
SAPD officials said since the victim was wearing a backpack, he may have been headed to school.
Police did not say if the driver of the 18-wheeler would face any charges.