Defense witness says driver pointed a gun and shots were fired before Tesla crashed into wall

Robert Castillo, a defense witness, testified he was fired upon and then crashed his Tesla after a roadside confrontation late on March 24, 2023, in San Antonio.

Castillo told the jury he and coworkers had gathered that evening to celebrate at a food park called El Camino and that he had one 12-ounce beer at his apartment earlier in the evening. "I was scared for my life," Castillo said when describing the moments after he saw a weapon in the other vehicle.

Under direct examination by defense counsel, Castillo described leaving his apartment around midnight to pick up vehicle keys from Ashley Sanchez and driving his white Tesla. He said a silver Toyota FJ with a white top ran a red light and turned left; Castillo said he followed after the FJ and the other driver pulled to the right and became confrontational.

"I just tell him in a joking manner, like, 'Hey, you know you were speeding...,'" Castillo testified, describing an attempt to defuse the encounter. He said the driver of the FJ opened the door and, in Castillo's view, leaned back and pointed a firearm. Castillo identified a defense exhibit photo as showing the barrel of a gun aimed at him and his passenger, Antonio Lerma.

After seeing the weapon, Castillo said he "stepped on" the accelerator to flee. He testified he immediately heard gunshots coming from behind the car and then felt the vehicle pull off the road, hop a curb and strike a wall. "I remember hearing gunshots," he said; when asked how many, Castillo answered, "Four gunshots."

Castillo described attempting to shield himself and his passenger and said he was not wearing a seat belt at the time. He said airbags deployed and he briefly lost awareness; after regaining consciousness he opened his door and saw Lerma moving away from the scene. Castillo said Lerma did not check on him, and Castillo ran after him.

The witness also described his employment history and family background under questioning: he said he previously worked as an area manager overseeing multiple stores and that his 2023 salary was about $80,000 a year with quarterly bonuses. He identified coworkers who were present that night, including Antonio Lerma and Jared Lopez.

The courtroom admitted a photograph as defense exhibit 5 that Castillo identified as showing the other driver pointing what Castillo perceived to be a firearm. No testimony in this hearing excerpt includes a contrary eyewitness denial; the account presented here reflects Castillo’s testimony only.

The court took a 10-minute recess during the session after the photograph was discussed; testimony resumed after the break.