Three Injured by Alleged Street Racer on Highway 90 in Bexar County, TX
Bexar County, TX — December 28, 2022, two women and a 10-year-old girl were injured in a major crash believed to be caused by street racers on Highway 90 in Bexar County.
Authorities say the incident happened shortly before 9:00 p.m. on Highway 90 on the Southwest Side. Preliminary investigation suggests 33-year-old Hammer John Felan was driving a Pontiac GTO west on the highway and may have been racing another driver in a Volkswagen GTI. Felan reportedly lost control of his vehicle and swerved into the eastbound lanes, where he crashed with an oncoming vehicle. The VW driver reportedly left the scene without stopping.
A passenger in Felan's car was critically injured in the wreck. A woman and a girl in the eastbound car both received serious injuries. No other injuries were reported.
Investigators say Felan faces felony charges related to the race and the damage done in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation. No further information is currently available.
It's always hugely frustrating to read about accidents like this. I think most people realize the dangers of street racing, yet some folks get too tempted and put the pedal to the metal anyway. Why did that happen on Highway 90? Was it just an impromptu race decided by a glance between drivers? Did they know each other and plan it? Or was it, like so many reckless decisions, just a poor choice made while under the influence?
To be clear, I don't know more than reports say. Over the years one just gets familiar with some statistics, including the link between drunk driving and street racing. Many times careful investigation eventually learns that a local bar over-served people who decided in their altered state of mind to race down a busy street or highway. When that ends with injury or death--as it unfortunately often does--the bar that gave the drivers too much "liquid courage" may be liable for their part in the damage done under Texas dram shop law.
Again, though, alcohol may not be an issue here. None of the suspect's charges relate to intoxication and I don't know more than police about the events on Highway 90. I just think it's a possibility that merits further investigation as the people injured in that wreck deserve to know the whole story. If there are other steps to take, they may depend on what that story turns out to be.
