Richard Tovar Killed in Hit-and-Run on W Commerce St in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX — October 19, 2022, 46-year-old Richard Tovar was killed by a vehicle in a hit-and-run on West Commerce Street in San Antonio.
Authorities say the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on the 4300 block of West Commerce, near Our Lady of the Lake University. Preliminary investigation suggests Tovar was crossing southward through Commerce, outside of a crosswalk, when he was hit by an eastbound Chevy Impala. The vehicle then left the scene without stopping.
Tovar suffered fatal injuries in the collision.
Police are still looking for the hit-and-run vehicle, believe to be a silver 2014 Impala, and its driver.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Richard Tovar Hit-and-Run in San Antonio
It's tragic and frustrating to learn of yet another hit-and-run on Texas roads. Clearly authorities must do everything they can to locate the driver who left the scene--not only to ensure they face appropriate punishment, but also to learn precisely why they left someone to die. The answer to that, if there is one, could change the nature of the investigation.
For example, many drivers flee from incidents like this because they're intoxicated at the time. Whether their judgment is just so compromised that they leave the scene or they deliberately try to avoid getting caught for DWI, alcohol still played a part. In those situations a local alcohol provider might be liable for the victims' fatal injuries, which would be a matter for Texas dram shop law.
I read the same reports as everyone else, so while I mention alcohol as a possible factor I'm not claiming to know it was involved. The driver's motives for fleeing are just important to learn after they're found. What police are doing now--searching for material evidence, witnesses, video footage from the area, and other sources of information--is crucial in finding every possible clue. Whatever information they can find and then relay to the public is one more piece of the puzzle that someone will eventually put together to recognize a suspect. If authorities remain diligent and the community cooperates with any useful information, I'm hopeful that justice will be served.
