Nicholas Hernandez, a 25-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, received a 35-year prison sentence—the maximum under his plea deal—for murdering 31-year-old Julie Marie Butcher in a road rage incident. Butcher, a mother of four and Papa John’s manager, was shot in the head while driving on Interstate 35 on November 8, 2024, causing her car to flip into a ditch.
Incident Details
The confrontation occurred after 9 p.m. on I-35 southbound near Eisenhauer and Rittiman roads, with Hernandez firing from his silver-and-blue Volkswagen Jetta before fleeing. Witnesses saw the shooting, and surveillance captured the vehicle; Butcher was found dead at the scene.
Evidence and Arrest
Hernandez confessed to multiple friends, who reported him; one disposed of 9mm shell casings at his request, and texts confirmed discussions of the shooting. Phone records placed him at the scene, and he falsely reported his Beretta 9mm handgun stolen 15 hours later—the same model used in the crime. He was arrested on November 27, 2024, pleaded guilty last week, and was sentenced January 23, 2026.
Victim’s Family and Impact
Butcher left behind husband Michael and children Hailey, Jaxson, Michael, and Kenneth; a GoFundMe described her as a devoted family member.[query] Her family expressed gratitude for justice progress around Thanksgiving 2024, citing community support. Bexar County DA Joe Gonzales noted hope for solace in the sentence.
