Family Sues Over Tow-Truck Dragging Death

SAN ANTONIO (CN) — A Texas mother chasing a tow truck was killed when the driver dragged her to her death and left her body near an expressway on-ramp, her grieving family claims in court.

Natalie Servantes, 28, died on the evening of Oct. 25, leaving behind a 10 year-old son, her father Daniel Servantes claims in Bexar County Court. He sued the San Antonio-based Atlas Towing and Storage, its tow truck driver Joseph F. Munoz Jr., and Mission Rock Residential Texas dba Salado Springs Apartments.

Servantes and her son were visiting a friend's apartment when she spotted her vehicle being towed.

According to the lawsuit, Servantes asked the tow truck driver to release her vehicle.

"He said he would 'drop' the vehicle and wait for her," the Nov. 9 lawsuit states. "Suddenly, and without warning in his rush to leave the premises, Joseph F. Munoz Jr. negligently became entangled with Natalie Servantes dragging her down Vista Del Norte and left her body near the on-ramp to Wurzbach Parkway."

Witnesses told police they saw Servantes running after the tow truck as it drove out of the apartment complex, according to media reports. Police say she was dragged for nearly a mile before she was found dead in the road.

A spokeswoman with the San Antonio Police Department said police are still investigating the incident, but believes that Servantes was either dragged or struck as she was chasing the tow truck.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations has also begun an investigation into the incident.

Atlas Towing owner Ricardo Vinegas did not return a message seeking comment left with a receptionist Thursday afternoon.

Servantes' family seeks over $1 million in damages for wrongful death and negligence. They also want to prevent Atlas from altering or destroying any evidence, including "any and all body parts, blood or other human remains on or under the tow truck."

They are represented by Thomas J. Henry of San Antonio.

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