SAN ANTONIO — The Bexar County Sheriff's Office has arrested a woman in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that unfolded this week, officials announced Thursday night.
On Tuesday morning a pedestrian discovered a man's body along Glen Meadows on the east side. Authorities didn't initially observe injuries, but an autopsy later revealed catastrophic internal injuries due to blunt force trauma, including a broken neck that Sheriff Javier Salazar described as an "internal decapitation."
Investigators later determined that the victim, a 62-year-old man they believe was homeless, was struck and killed by a vehicle on Monday night.
Salazar said investigators found doorbell camera videos where the collision wasn't visible, but it was audible.
"It sounds like the suspect vehicle hit another car, by the sound of it," Salazar said. "I was able to see the video and it's actually sickening to hear the sound of that impact."
Salazar said that through the surveillance video investigators determined they were looking for a white Dodge pickup that fled the scene, and likely had damage to the front. An investigator driving in the neighborhood noticed a truck matching that description and followed it to a resident, the sheriff added, making contact with the driver before bringing her and her husband in for questioning.
Salazar said the woman and her husband gave conflicting stories about how the damage occurred before she admitted she was the one who was driving the vehicle.
Deputies seized the vehicle with a search warrant and found evidence of bodily fluids on the truck, as well as fibers consistent with what the victim was wearing, according to the sheriff.
Savannah Mercedes Lopez, 27, was booked into the Bexar County jail and charged with failure to stop and render aid resulting in serious bodily injury or death.
Salazar said he believed she was out on bond for a previous DWI, but added he wasn't sure if she had been drinking before this fatal crash. Court records indicate a woman with the same name was charged in May for driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 in the car.
This is a developing story.
Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members.