Neighbors mourn the loss of ‘Josie’ Villarreal, who was hit and killed by a pickup truck as she walked home from the store.

SAN ANTONIO — Family and neighbors are mourning the loss of a woman who died while walking home from a neighborhood store Wednesday morning.

The Medical Examiner identified 63-year-old Josefina Morales Villarreal as the person who was run down and dragged by a pickup truck on Roosevelt Avenue just south of Loop 410.

The call for help came a few minutes after 8am.

Police said the woman’s husband told them she was doing what she did most days, walking a few blocks to buy a few items at a nearby discount store.

Her long-time friend Cecilia Perez said “She was already coming back to the neighborhood and it was just one more lane and then the truck hit her.” 

Trying hard to contain her emotions, Perez said of the woman they call Josie “She was carrying shampoo and a brush and a ketchup.”

Crying, Perez said she has been begging city leaders for traffic solutions for years, saying she has installed more than 30 crosses in the area, marking the spots where people have died over the years.

“They are our friends. They are our family members, so their voices can be heard. We are the only ones in San Antonio that have more crosses, right here on 281 south on Roosevelt,” Perez said, adding “We need these signs up now!  Look what happened! Our friend passed away! She was killed by these cars going fast, super fast!”

Police said the driver who hit Villarreal wasn’t speeding.  They say he was stopped on a side street, waiting for a chance to turn north onto Roosevelt and when he turned into traffic, he hit Villarreal, dragging her the length of the block.

Sgt. Ralph Salazar said “He was coming from Sanco Street and he claims that he didn’t see her and he drags her all the way up to San Rafael.”

Salazar added “Unfortunately, she goes under the vehicle and I’m thinking she dies instantly. EMS tried to work on her but it didn’t do any good.”

The driver stopped and tried to render aid, Salazar said, adding “Basically we have an accident, an unfortunate accident.”

The Traffic Investigations Detail, which handles all fatality crashes, was processing the scene and the preliminary report indicates the driver will not be charged.

In the two block area of the crash, memorial crosses are plentiful.

Perez said one belongs to Villarreal’s father, Ricardo Morales, who also died while trying to cross the busy street years ago.

Across the way two crosses lean on each other for support, their simple message is in memory of teenagers.

And down the street, there’s a cross honoring Danny, and another that features a toy car in memory of little Mario, aged seven.  

Pedro and Alberto and ‘white truck man’ are remembered as well and a cross in memory of a lost motorcycle rider stands behind a plastic traffic barrier that is tipped over and smashed.

Most of the crosses are simple, featuring plastic flowers and ribbons. Some have heart-felt messages:  “I miss you n love you Tio!” reads one, while flowing script on another says “Be Loving Dad.”

Safety improvement work is underway on Roosevelt.  There is a new curb feature dividing the lanes of travel but warning beacons at a new crosswalk have yet to be installed.

Perez believes crosswalks won’t help because usually it’s speed that kills, she said, adding emphatically “We need to lower down more the speed limit!”