On today’s date (08-25-20), at approximately 2:50am, the New Braunfels Police Department and the New Braunfels Fire Department, along with the Comal County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a report of a single vehicle accident in the 3900 block of I-35 North near the Walmart Distribution Center. First responders arrived and found a black Ford Expedition parked on the shoulder of the highway. Inside the vehicle was a female passenger that appeared to have been shot and was deceased. The identification of the victim, a 33-year old female from Austin, is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
As officers were responding to the above incident, additional officers were called to the TA Truck Stop in the 4800 block of I-35 North for a report of shots fired. Officers arrived and eyewitnesses reported that hearing a number of gunshots just before an 18-wheeler left the truck stop parking lot at a high rate of speed. Officers searched for the vehicle, and for any signs of a shooting, but were unable to locate either.
Approximately 45 minutes later, the truck, which was reportedly driving erratically on I-35, crashed in the downtown San Antonio area and the driver of the truck fled the scene on foot. The San Antonio Police Department is currently investigating the death of the male found inside the cab of the 18-wheeler and they currently have a suspect in custody.
The New Braunfels Police Department Criminal Investigations Division and the Comal County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the death of the female and, at this time, that investigation is being classified as a homicide. An autopsy has been ordered by Justice of the Peace for Pct. 3 Mike Rust. New Braunfels Police and Comal County Sheriff’s Office detectives are working with San Antonio Police and other surrounding agencies on this ongoing investigation.
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