Racing driver plunges off parking garage

Johnroy Barrones, 19, was taken to University Hospital after his car fell 49 feet from the fifth level of this garage at North Star Mall. Johnroy Barrones, 19, was taken to University Hospital after his car fell 49 feet from the fifth level of this garage at North Star Mall. Photo: John Davenport / San Antonio Express-News Photo: John Davenport / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Racing driver plunges off parking garage 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A young driver who plunged nearly 50 feet off a parking garage at North Star Mall was racing and doing “doughnuts.”

Traffic detectives said Johnroy Barrones, 19, couldn't stop as he reached the edge of the garage's fifth level and crashed into a concrete wall about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

His vehicle then fell 49 feet below.

Barrones was rushed to University Hospital in stable condition. He was wearing a seat belt.

A 22-year-old man he was racing remained at the scene and gave police a statement.

Officer Matthew Porter, a police spokesman, said this was the first racing incident that had been reported in a parking garage here that authorities were aware of.

No charges have been filed, but detectives stressed the case still was under investigation.

A spokeswoman with General Growth Properties, which owns North Star Mall, declined to comment about the incident.

aley@express-news.net

Twitter: @aley_EN