San Antonio, August 25, 2025
News Summary
Jeanette Espitia tragically passed away while crossing SE Military Drive. In the wake of her death, local business owner Rudy Lopez stepped in to cover her funeral expenses and help her brother, Jesse, who is now caring for her three young children. Community support continues to grow as efforts are made to secure housing and additional aid for the family.
San Antonio — Jeanette Espitia, who died while crossing SE Military Drive near Old Corpus Christi Road, will be laid to rest with funeral expenses covered by a local business owner, and her brother has received immediate housing and financial help to care for her three young children.
Key facts
The woman’s brother, Jesse Espitia, is now responsible for caring for three young children following the death. A local business owner, Rudy Lopez, who operates Pica Pica Event Center and Mustang Sally’s, has stepped in to pay for the funeral and to cover unpaid rent that had put the family at risk of eviction. Funeral services are being planned at the Pica Pica Event Center and will be open to the public. Organizers have indicated they will provide ongoing updates about the arrangements. A donation link for those wishing to support the family has also been shared.
Immediate assistance provided
- Funeral expenses: Fully covered by the local business owner to ensure the deceased is laid to rest with dignity.
- Housing stability: Unpaid rent that had placed the household at risk of eviction was paid by the same business owner to prevent displacement of the children and family members.
- Additional support: The business owner is reaching out to other local businesses to arrange further help, including assistance to purchase a vehicle for Jesse and other forms of aid.
Family circumstances
Jesse had been living with Jeanette to assist with the children and household expenses prior to her death. Despite pooling resources, the family fell behind on rent and faced possible eviction. Jesse has experienced multiple family losses over the last three years related to medical issues and has been dealing with burial and expense-related challenges. Community members and local businesses have since mobilized to provide support.
Supporting details
Funeral services will be held at the Pica Pica Event Center, with plans to allow public attendance. Organizers have committed to sharing additional updates about dates, times, and related arrangements as they are finalized. A donation link has been circulated for those who want to contribute to the family’s ongoing needs; details on how funds will be used have been communicated by community coordinators organizing assistance.
Actions being coordinated
- Coordination of funeral services at the Pica Pica Event Center.
- Payment of outstanding rent to prevent eviction and secure family housing.
- Outreach to other business owners to source a vehicle and additional supports for the family.
- Distribution of a donation link for community financial contributions.
Background
The incident occurred on SE Military Drive near Old Corpus Christi Road, where Jeanette Espitia was struck and died while crossing the roadway. The death has left her brother as the primary caretaker of three young children. In recent years, Jesse’s family has suffered multiple bereavements linked to medical problems, compounding financial and emotional strain. The community response, led by local business owners and neighbors, aims to address immediate needs such as funeral costs, housing stability, transportation, and day-to-day expenses for the children.
What to expect next
Organizers will announce specific funeral dates and times and will provide instructions on how members of the public can attend services at the Pica Pica Event Center. Continued community outreach is underway to secure longer-term support, including fundraising and in-kind donations. Those coordinating assistance say they will provide updates on housing stability and other support measures as they develop.
Contact and contribution information
Community coordinators have shared a donation link to collect funds for the children and household needs. Details about how to contribute and how donations will be managed are being provided by the organizers handling the funeral arrangements and support efforts. No public telephone numbers or direct links are included here; interested community members are advised to follow announcements from the Pica Pica Event Center for the latest guidance on contributions and attendance.
FAQ
Who passed away and where did the incident occur?
Jeanette Espitia died while crossing SE Military Drive near Old Corpus Christi Road in San Antonio.
Who is caring for the children?
Her brother, Jesse Espitia, is now responsible for caring for the three young children.
Who paid for the funeral and unpaid rent?
Rudy Lopez, owner of Pica Pica Event Center and Mustang Sally’s, covered the funeral expenses and paid the family’s unpaid rent.
Where will the funeral services be held?
Funeral services are being planned to take place at the Pica Pica Event Center and will be open to the public.
Is there a way to support the family?
A donation link has been shared by community coordinators for those who wish to support the family financially. Organizers are also seeking assistance from other business owners for a vehicle and further aid.
Will there be further updates?
Organizers have stated that ongoing updates will be provided about funeral arrangements and community support efforts.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral coverage | Funeral expenses paid to ensure proper burial arrangements | Completed (paid by local business owner) |
| Housing support | Unpaid rent covered to prevent eviction | Completed (paid by local business owner) |
| Public funeral services | Services planned at Pica Pica Event Center open to public attendance | Planned; updates forthcoming |
| Additional aid | Efforts underway to secure a vehicle and more support from other businesses | In progress |
| Donations | Donation link circulated for community contributions | Active |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Not specified | Death of Jeanette Espitia while crossing SE Military near Old Corpus Christi Road | Reported by family and community coordinators |
| Following the incident (recent) | Business owner agrees to cover funeral costs and unpaid rent | Action taken by owner of Pica Pica Event Center and Mustang Sally’s |
| Ongoing | Funeral planning and public service arrangements at Pica Pica Event Center | Organizers planning; updates to be provided |
| Ongoing | Community outreach to secure additional support, including vehicle purchase | Organizers and local businesses coordinating |
Support actions chart
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