Julian Lopez, 18, says the truck took off after the crash, leaving him stranded on the highway.
SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio teen recalls the terrifying moment a big rig hit him and dragged his car on the highway.
Before he finished high school, 18-year-old Julian Lopez said he has experienced a great deal of tragedy. One year ago, his brother was murdered one year ago and just last week, his cousin was killed.
Julian’s story is one of resilience, as he now seeks justice after being involved in a hit-and-run.
Julian said he was on I-10 East when something caused two vehicles in front of him to swerve. Instead of swerving, Julian said he hit his breaks. The next thing he recalls is getting dragged by an 18-wheeler.
“I was freaking out, like I didn’t know what to do at that point. I was scared. I was screaming,” said Julian.
The crash happened around 4 p.m. on June 19. As the other cars swerved, Julian said he hit his breaks but the tires started skidding.
“All I remember was like just going over and then the 18-wheeler just taking me, taking me with it, my windshield breaking. I just see everything coming off my vehicle,” said Julian.
The 18-year-old was at the mercy of the big rig and said he couldn’t break free.
“I remember just everything is just like being crushed and I’m hitting the side of the door. It just threw me out and it made me hit another lady,” he said.
Julian was able to get to safety on the shoulder lane but said the truck just kept going.
“I was just trying to survive at that point because I didn’t want on traffic coming [to] hit me in the back,” said Julian.
Julian’s car, just months away from being paid off, was in no shape to get back on the road.
“It messed up all of my driver’s side, like all of it. It completely destroyed my rim. It was [is] not drivable at the moment,” he said.
After the adrenaline wore off, his lower back and arm started to hurt.
“I just laid there and tried to like deal with the pain,” said Julian.
Now, everyday Julian said everyday his car stays impounded, it becomes more expensive to get out. He’s worried it may soon be financially impossible.
In a leap of faith, he started a GoFundMe to get himself back on the road.
Julian just graduated high school, works at a local sandwich shop and plans on joining the Air Force.
He said he wants to be a good role model for his younger brothers but being without a vehicle is making life tougher.
For now, he said he hopes the driver of the 18-wheeler will do the right thing.
“I just hope the driver of this 18-wheeler really comes out and see what he has done to my vehicle,” he said.
Julian said video cameras from a nearby business captured 18-wheelers that were possibly involved in the crash. San Antonio Police are investigating.