Jose Flores III, described by his family as compassionate and driven, was hit Sept. 16 while using a crosswalk on Marbach Road during an off-campus lunch period.
SAN ANTONIO — The death of a 16-year-old student struck by a truck while crossing a busy roadway outside John Jay High School is prompting new traffic safety efforts from city leaders aimed at protecting students and pedestrians.
Jose Flores III, described by his family as compassionate and driven, was hit Sept. 16 while using a crosswalk on Marbach Road during an off-campus lunch period. He was hospitalized in critical condition and died nearly a month later. The driver was not charged.
“He wanted to be a firefighter. He wanted to save lives. He was a good big brother,” said Amanda Saucedo, Jose’s mother said.
City Council members Edward Mungia and Ric Galvan said they began working with school leaders, the family, and city traffic engineers soon after the crash to develop both short and long-term safety improvements near the campus.
The short-term plan includes installing a HAWK signal — a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk beacon — designed to alert drivers when pedestrians are crossing.
“Which is basically, you press a button and a light comes on for you to safely walk,” Mungia said. “Right now, we have a static crossing, midblock crossing, so there is no mechanism to call further attention to the fact people are walking.”
Galvan said sidewalks in the area have also been restriped, and discussions are underway with the school to improve traffic flow for parents dropping off and picking up students.
“No parent should have to go through this. No student should have to go through this,” Galvan said. “The biggest thing I want to make sure is this doesn’t happen for anyone.”
Longer-term options under consideration include installing a full traffic signal in front of the school. Council members said engineering reviews and cost estimates are still in progress.
They added that while infrastructure can improve safety, driver awareness remains critical. Both urged motorists to slow down and stay alert in school zones, and encouraged students to remain vigilant when crossing streets.
Flores’ father said the family hopes the planned changes will help prevent another tragedy.
“I don’t want my son to be forgotten,” Jose Flores said.
Galvan is also working on a proposal to memorialize Jose near the school. City officials expect to have a clearer timeline and cost estimate for the crosswalk upgrades by the end of the month.