SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man who carjacked and ran over another man almost two years ago was sentenced to 35 years in prison Thursday per a plea deal.
On Aug. 14, 2021, Jose Gonzales approached 56-year-old Mario Renteria as he was changing a tire at a Texaco gas station on the city’s Southeast Side.
Moments later, Gonzales got into Renteria’s truck and ran him down before crashing the vehicle into the gas station.
Video of that incident was shown in a courtroom Thursday during Gonzales’ sentencing hearing. The video also showed the defendant walking into the gas station, taking off his clothes, taunting police and then resisting arrest by kicking two police officers.
Gonzales, 38, told 187th District Court Judge Stephanie Boyd that he was embarrassed by his action and was high on several drugs.
“I take full responsibility for what happened that night, and I just want the family to know I’m truly sorry,” Gonzales said.
Defense attorney Alfonso Cabanas requested 20 years for the sentence but Boyd went with the maximum allowed per the plea deal.
“Someone who was just merely trying to change their tire and now they’re dead, through no fault of their own,” Boyd said. “There is someone no longer with us through your actions.”
Renteria, a father and grandfather, was described by family members as a hardworking man who would do anything for his family.
Gonzales will get credit for time served and is eligible for parole after serving half his sentence.