Detective testifies to missing Tesla footage and apparent bullet holes in San Antonio crash case

A San Antonio Police Department detective testified May 15 that investigators extracted both event data recorder (EDR) files and video from a white Tesla involved in a March 25, 2023 crash that killed Eric Moody, but the recordings contain an approximately one‑minute gap that could not be recovered.

The testimony came during the State’s examination of Detective Clayton Pavelic, of the SAPD traffic investigations unit. Pavelic said he imaged the Tesla’s EDR and turned the EDR report to a sergeant for analysis, and that the vehicle’s USB contained video clips. “There’s it’s an approximate minute between the two events that were stored on there,” Pavelic said when asked about the missing footage. He added that Tesla sometimes uploads collision video and EDR data to the cloud, which “could have possibly interfered with the recording.”

Why it matters: defense attorneys argued the missing minute is central because it coincides with the period when the defendant, Robert Castillo, exits the vehicle. The defense said earlier motions and discovery produced no report that would allow previewing any opinion that a viewer formed about intoxication from the video; the judge limited the detective to describing generic signs or “clues” of intoxication and barred him from testifying that viewing the video made him conclude Castillo was intoxicated.

Pavelic also described physical evidence taken from the Tesla. Crime‑scene photographs admitted as State exhibits 51–58 show multiple “defects” on the rear of the vehicle that Pavelic testified “appear to be from a bullet.” The detective said investigators removed a section of the bumper and submitted it to the Bexar County laboratory to test for metal residues; Pavelic testified the lab report did not find trace elements (lead, copper or similar) that would identify a bullet fragment on the tested piece.

On the question of responsibility and chronology, Pavelic testified he applied for and obtained an arrest warrant after Castillo surrendered to police on March 27, 2023, and that his investigation concluded Castillo was driving the Tesla and fled the scene without rendering aid to Moody, who was pronounced deceased at 01:46.

Investigative gaps highlighted by defense: cross‑examination focused on what the lead detective reviewed or did not review. Pavelic acknowledged he did not review every officer’s body‑worn camera recording from the ground search, that some bicycle officers did not file supplemental reports, and that some field contacts (EMS or bystanders) left no identifying information at the scene. The defense pressed that investigators did not collect witness phone videos or contact certain officers’ footage; some defense questions about who told investigators that shots had been fired were sustained as hearsay.

Speed and EDR data: Pavelic said the EDR and related analysis showed the Tesla reached higher speeds earlier in the trip (he recalled a peak of “about 88 miles an hour”) and decelerated to “30‑something” miles per hour near impact. He cautioned he could not recite exact numbers from memory and deferred to the EDR report for precise speeds and timing.

What was not found: Pavelic testified no drugs, open containers or alcohol residue were found inside the Tesla during his inspections. He also said a cell phone pictured in the driver’s area had identifying information linking the vehicle to Castillo.

Courtroom rulings and next steps: the judge allowed the detective to describe his training and to identify generic clues of impairment but barred him from watching the videos and offering a direct opinion that Castillo was intoxicated based on that viewing. After the State rested its questioning and the defense completed cross‑examination, the court re‑invoked the sequestration rule and excused the witness; the court took a brief recess and instructed parties to approach at sidebar about scheduling for the next day.