SAN ANTONIO — Exactly eight years have passed since 25-year-old Aaron Rocha was killed on San Antonio’s north side. Since then, Lori Rocha has been fighting for justice in honor of her son while spreading awareness about the dangers of aggressive driving.
“His mentality was to choose love over hate. He’s my son, I saw him live it,” Rocha said.
According to police, Aaron Rocha was riding in a blue Ford Explorer as a passenger when someone drove up and opened fire on the vehicle. The shooting took place on Huebner Road near Lockhill Selma. In that same spot sits a memorial in Aaron’s honor, which his mother created. No arrests have been made.
“I don’t know what this person’s problems are that killed my son. That’s one of my decision and faith belief to pray for this person,” Rocha said.
Rocha’s journey for justice and accountability led her to other families who lost their loved ones and eventually the local non-profit known as the Community Alliance for Traffic Safety (C.A.T.S).
The non-profit and UTSA have been working together for the past three years, gathering data involving more than a thousand people who’ve been responsible for reckless driving.
“Purpose is to get a definition of aggressive driving. Secondly, is as of today, this is a national effort, it’s no longer just a San Antonio effort,” said Dean DeSoto, C.A.T.S founder and CEO.
According to C.A.T.S, more than 50,000 reckless driving calls were made to SAPD and BCSO from October 2023 to October 2024.
The initial data revealed that over 60% of the clients took accountability for their actions. An overwhelming majority of these individuals were male drivers while 40% possessed some type of weapon in the vehicle such as guns and knives. The highest speed limit in aggressive driving situations amounted to 141 miles per hour.
The data also revealed 38% of the clients assessed had prior DWI-drug arrests.
“It needs to become a bigger priority with the US Department of Transportation,” DeSoto said.
As the research into aggressive driving continues, DeSoto hopes to present the baseline data on aggressive driving on the state and federal levels.
At the same time, Lori Rocha will further her pursuit for justice.
“That’s another mission to just carry on his legacy. I could have chose to die with him but I choose to live for him.”