A 26-year-old woman in San Antonio, Texas, faces charges after allegedly driving through a crash investigation site and running over the body of a man killed earlier by two vehicles. Authorities say she was under the influence of khat at the time. The incident occurred on State Highway 211 near Lambada Drive.
On Friday night, a 61-year-old man was walking across State Highway 211 near Lambada Drive in San Antonio, Bexar County, when he was struck by the side mirror of one vehicle, knocking him to the ground. A second driver, unable to react in time, ran over the man, resulting in his death. Bexar County deputies determined that neither of the first two drivers committed any wrongdoing and proceeded to secure the scene, covering the body and beginning their investigation.
While deputies were on site, a third vehicle approached at speed. The driver, identified as Tionne Spears, 26, allegedly plowed through the cordoned area, driving over the man's body and narrowly missing investigators. Spears was promptly detained.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar reported that Spears showed signs of intoxication from khat, an African plant that induces a sense of bravado and heightened pain tolerance. The substance gained attention in the film "Black Hawk Down" for its use by combatants. Spears faces charges of driving while intoxicated, abuse of a corpse, and possession of a controlled substance.
"Thankfully our investigators were not hurt," Salazar told reporters. "But again it's unfortunate that this poor victim, who'd already been through a lot obviously, had his body run over as a result of this lady's level of intoxication and her unawareness of where she was."
Spears was booked into Bexar County Jail and later released after posting a $14,100 bond. Her court appearance is scheduled for March 30.