SAN ANTONIO – Two people died and three others were hospitalized following a violent crash on the far North Side late Monday night.
According to a preliminary report from San Antonio police investigators, the driver of a red Lexus was traveling south on Highway 281 when he lost control of the car.
"It appears that they went across the median and actually into the northbound lanes of traffic where a 2005 Toyota was traveling the other direction," said San Antonio Police Sgt. Javier Salazar.
The Toyota had front-end damage and the Lexus was struck on the passenger side. The report stated it split open between the front and rear seats of the sedan.
Two passengers inside the Lexus were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Lexus had to be pulled from the car and was taken to University Hospital in critical condition.
The driver and passenger of the Toyota were found alive but were taken by medical helicopter to University Hospital for broken bones and internal injuries.
The names of the victims who died have not been released. The driver of the Lexus was identified as 19-year-old Christopher Paul Marchini.
The preliminary report stated Marchini admitted to an officer he had smoked marijuana but denied drinking any alcohol.
The report stated he is facing intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault charges.
Police also believe Marchini was speeding.
"We're looking to see what caused him to lose control and cross into the median in the first place, but certainly the force of the impact does lend itself to the fact that speed may have been a contributing factor," said Salazar.
