SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was killed earlier this month when a vehicle involved in a pursuit lost control and struck her while she was walking on the sidewalk, according to police.
The incident happened on Jan. 14 when undercover officers with San Antonio police suspected Leo Pinero, 19, of possessing a large amount of narcotics.
Officers tried pulling Pinero over. However, he fled the scene.
While officers did not pursue him directly, they followed him with a helicopter, police said.
According to SAPD, Pinero eventually lost control of his vehicle near the intersection of Pyron Street and Otto Street.
Ronda Duke, also known as “Robin” to her family and friends, was walking on a sidewalk when she was struck and killed by Pinero, SAPD said.
“I’m still in shock that this happened because she was such a good person and so loved and so needed,” said Nancy Lee, Duke’s friend.
Police said Pinero was arrested later on Jan. 14. He is facing charges of murder and evading arrest, according to court records.
Shawn Delgado, Duke’s sister, and Lee described the pain of losing her in such a tragic and random way.
“What are the odds of that?” Delgado asked. “And then he dragged her.”
While the loss has left a deep void for those who knew Duke, they are also left grappling with the senselessness of the events that led to her death.
“I hope he sits in prison and has time to think about all the people he has affected,” said Lee. “We won’t ever get to see her again because of him.”
