SAN ANTONIO — In a tragic 48-hour period, three motorcyclists lost their lives in separate accidents on San Antonio roads, highlighting the dangers faced by riders.

The first incident occurred on Saturday on I-10 West, where 20-year-old Nicholas Galindo was killed. Police reported that Galindo was racing another motorcycle when an 18-wheeler switched lanes, causing him to lose control.

Related: Racing Death: Motorcyclist killed in collision with 18-wheeler on I-10

“It’s a loss of life. And to all of us, even those of us that don’t know who that person is, we often put ourselves in that position. It’s a heartbreaking thing we have to hear about, much less even have to see,” said a local resident.

Just 24 hours later, two more fatal accidents occurred. One took place on the South Side near Southwest Military and Logwood Avenue, where a motorcyclist sped through an intersection and crashed into a pickup truck, which subsequently caught fire. The motorcyclist did not survive. The third accident involved another rider losing control on I-35 North.

Related: Motorcyclist dies in fiery crash after speeding through red light, police said

“I see a lot of people that don’t care about wearing helmets and jackets, spend a couple $100 dollars on a jacket or a suit and helmet and gloves, and it’ll save you 10s of 1000s, or funeral costs. It’s one of those things where you’re investing in yourself and you’re investing in your future,” said Damien Kimbrough, mentor with 3:16 Superbike Camp.

Related: POLL: Are the San Antonio Police doing enough to curb racing on our roadways?

In 2024, 585 motorcyclists were killed across Texas, with nearly 40 percent not wearing helmets. A local rider, Xaiver Jimenez survived a horrific crash in December, shared his experience, emphasizing the importance of safety gear.

“The only thing I remember is the back end of a car, and then me lying on the floor. I was lying there probably for a good 30 seconds before somebody pulled over and came and got me. When they came and got me, my right leg was twisted sideways. I had a compound twist fracture, so my bone was exposed,” he said.

After undergoing 13 surgeries, he will need 10 more. He reflected on the impact of his injuries, saying, “You miss out on a lot. If you have kids, you miss out on that. You miss out on walking, just doing the little things that a lot of people don’t realize.”

Riders stress that speed is a significant factor in these deadly crashes and urge others to be aware of their surroundings and wear protective gear.