Video provided by a neighbor appears to show the teens going into driveways, checking door handles and burglarizing cars before deputies arrived.
BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — Two teenagers are dead following a crash early Sunday morning in northwest Bexar County after deputies say the pair were seen breaking into vehicles in a nearby neighborhood.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said the incident began around 4 a.m. when deputies were called to a neighborhood near the intersection of Blacktail Crest and Bonito Loop, off Culebra Road. A caller reported two individuals driving through the area in an early 2000s Toyota and attempting to break into vehicles.
Video provided by a neighbor appears to show the teens going into driveways, checking door handles and burglarizing cars before deputies arrived.
When deputies reached the area, they spotted the Toyota leaving the neighborhood at a high rate of speed. One deputy attempted to initiate a pursuit, activating overhead lights, but quickly lost sight of the vehicle, according to the sheriff.
A second deputy on Culebra Road also reported seeing the vehicle speeding moments later.
By the time deputies located the car, it had already crashed. Investigators said the vehicle struck a railing and ended up in a ditch. Both teens were ejected from the vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene.
“These young men are deceased unfortunately as a result of some very, very poor choices on their part,” Salazar said.
Deputies believe the Toyota may have been stolen. Inside the vehicle, authorities found items the suspect had taken from nearby cars, including tools and a first aid kit. The sheriff noted the suspects were wearing gloves, consistent with vehicle burglary activity.
The identities of the teens have not been released.
Officials said the initial deputy who attempted to stop the vehicle will be placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation, which is standard procedure. The sheriff added that, at this point, deputies appear to have followed department policies and procedures.
The investigation remains ongoing.