Bicyclist killed in alleged hit-and-run crash identified as prominent SA surgeon

Victim identified as Naji Tanios Kayruz, 58

Courtesy: Joel Spring/RxDesign

SAN ANTONIO – A bicyclist killed Monday night in what police said was a hit-and-run drunken driving crash has been identified as a prominent San Antonio surgeon.

San Antonio police arrested Melissa Nicole Peoples, 48, in connection with the death of Dr. Naji Tanios Kayruz.

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Police said Peoples was driving a white SUV when she hit Kayruz, 58, near Interstate 10 and the Dominion. Peoples failed to stop and render aid, police said.

Police said concerned citizens called about the crash and reported seeing a white SUV with major front-end damage being driven in the area. Officers said the woman also hit another car near the intersection of I-10 and Camp Bullis Road.

Authorities were finally able to track down the SUV and confirm that it was involved in the hit-and-run crash with the help of Bexar County deputies.

Peoples was found to be intoxicated and has been charged with both intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid, police said.

Police said Kayruz was in a marked bike lane and was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

A spokesperson for the Kayruz family said he was a husband, father, and surgeon with more than two decades of experience in medicine.


About the Authors:

Ivan Herrera has worked as a journalist in San Antonio since 2016. His work for KSAT 12 and KSAT.com includes covering breaking news of the day, as well as producing Q&As and content for the "South Texas Pride" and "KSAT Money" series.

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.