Fistfight between couple leads to fatal crash, police say

Javonte McElvain, 23, driving car while fighting with girlfriend, police say

SAN ANTONIO – Loved ones of a man who police said had a fistfight with his girlfriend in his car before a fatal crash on the far West Side on Sunday night said they are devastated.

Javonte McElvain, 23, died after he lost control of his car, which crashed into a guardrail on Culebra Road near Potranco Road. San Antonio police said just moments before the crash, McElvain and his girlfriend were engaged in a fight while he was behind the wheel.

According to a preliminary police report, investigators believe the couple had been drinking and neither of them was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. 

McElvain's girlfriend suffered injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police said they're investigating the crash and haven't determined what caused it or whether charges will be filed.

Hours before the crash, Diane Avila, a close friend of McElvain, was making plans for a happy holiday weekend that included him.

"He called me yesterday," she said. "I told him that I loved him. He loved me too. He asked what we were doing tomorrow, and I told him to come over. Bring his girlfriend."

Avila said she considered McElvain to be a member of the family, and that he and her son were inseparable. For years, he lived under their roof, she said.

"He didn't come from my body but he's in my heart. I mean, he's like a son to me," Avila said. "We just miss him, and we love him so much."

KSAT 12 News also spoke with McElvain's mother, Christina Oliver, by phone. She said she was overcome with grief.

Oliver said McElvain was the oldest of her four children. He was attended McArthur High School and graduated from the North East Independent School District's Academy of Creative Education.

Loved ones said they're anxious to find out what the police investigation reveals about the cause of the crash, although nothing will erase the pain they feel over McElvain's death.

"He was a very smart, very outgoing young man. He had a bright future," Avila said. "Me and my family and his family, everyone, we want him back. But I know it's not possible."

--------------------------------------------------------

Don't miss a thing. Get email alerts from KSAT12 today.
Get alerted to news events as they happen or sign up for a scheduled news headline email that is delivered right to your inbox. Breaking news, severe weather, daily forecasts, entertainment news, all of the day’s important events to keep you up to date wherever you are.

Sign up today. It's Free.

 

 


About the Author:

Katrina Webber joined KSAT 12 in December 2009. She reports for Good Morning San Antonio. Katrina was born and raised in Queens, NY, but after living in Gulf Coast states for the past decade, she feels right at home in Texas. It's not unusual to find her singing karaoke or leading a song with her church choir when she's not on-air.