San Antonio Woman Reflects on Sister’s Tragic Death in Wrong-Way Crash
SAN ANTONIO – One year after the tragic death of her sister, Natalie Garza still feels the pain of the loss. Yulissa Valero, 26, died on January 13, 2024, in a devastating wrong-way crash on Interstate 35. As Garza remembers her sister, she recalls her infectious laugh and the emptiness she now feels in the absence of her sister.
Garza describes the moment as surreal, saying, “She didn’t think that was going to be her last night alive.” Valero was traveling with two other passengers when the crash occurred. San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) reported that a vehicle driving in the wrong direction collided head-on with Valero’s car. The driver of the other vehicle was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and intoxication assault, according to police.
In the aftermath of her sister’s death, Garza is speaking out to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. “I feel like a lot of people don’t understand how careless it can be,” she said. Garza’s efforts aim to help prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families.
In 2024, SAPD reported a total of 4,333 DWI arrests. This number shows a slight decrease from the 4,732 DWI arrests made in 2023. While these figures reflect a drop in the number of arrests, Garza’s advocacy highlights the ongoing need for education and prevention efforts around impaired driving. Since the beginning of 2025, SAPD has arrested 24 individuals on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Garza’s campaign to change attitudes toward DWI is fueled by the loss of her sister, and she remains determined to make a difference in her sister’s memory. Through her efforts, Garza hopes to reduce the number of impaired drivers on the road and save lives.
