safety
‘Everything is gone’: Family shares heartbreak after driver drag racing hits, kills 17-year-old girl
By Zaria Oates, Emilio Sanchez at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
A South Side mother is mourning the loss of her 17-year-old daughter, Moncerrat “Monce” Maldonado, after San Antonio police say a man who was racing down Southwest Military Drive hit and killed her.Monce was walking home after her shift at El Pollo Loco when police say she was hit by 19-year-old ...
Key takeaway Monce was walking home after her shift at El Pollo Loco when police say she was hit by 19-year-old Vynzell Edward McGarity.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The tragic loss of Moncerrat Maldonado has reignited concerns about drag racing on San Antonio's streets, particularly on Southwest Military Drive. This stretch of road has seen its share of safety issues, and the city's efforts to address them, such as installing HAWK lights and additional traffic lights, may not be enough to curb the problem. The fact that Vynzell Edward McGarity was arrested just months prior for reckless driving and speeding, yet still felt emboldened to engage in drag racing, suggests a lack of deterrents. Councilmember Phyllis Viagran's call for increased SAPD monitoring and community reporting is a step in the right direction, but it will require sustained effort and coordination to make a meaningful impact. As the city continues to grapple with this issue, it's clear that a comprehensive approach, including education, enforcement, and infrastructure improvements, will be necessary to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A South Side mother is mourning the loss of her 17-year-old daughter, Moncerrat “Monce” Maldonado, after San Antonio police say a man who was racing down Southwest Military Drive hit and killed her.Monce was walking home after her shift at El Pollo Loco when police say she was hit by 19-year-old ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Zaria Oates, Emilio Sanchez at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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