Man dies after stolen car hits 18-wheeler

A 27-year-old New Braunfels resident was killed early Sunday when police say he crashed the stolen car he was driving into the back of an 18-wheeler.

Juan Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene by Hays County Justice of the Peace Jo Anne Prado.

According to a press release from San Marcos City Hall, reports of a major collision on Interstate 35 just shy of the McCarty Lane exit came in at approximately 1:54 a.m. In addition to police, firefighters, DPS troopers and San Marcos/Hays County EMS responded to the scene. 

The car that Martinez was driving, a 2008 Audi A4, had been stolen moments before from downtown San Marcos. “The victim tells police he was getting food” in the 100 block of South Guadalupe and had left his car running and unattended. He told police Martinez jumped into the car and fled. The victim and a friend followed in the friend’s vehicle as the stolen car entered I-35. 

The crash forced the closure of all of the interstate’s southbound lanes from 2 to 8 a.m. Traffic was diverted onto access roads.

This is the second fatal collision for San Marcos so far this year.