Thief repeatedly punched gran, 72, in the face and stole her car – only to DIE in crash shortly after

A THIEF assaulted a grandma and stole her car only to die in a crash moments later.

The cowardly thug repeatedly punched Shirlene Hernandez, 72, as she stopped for refreshments at a gas station in San Antonio, Texas.

News4SanAntonioShirlene Hernandez, 72, was brutally attacked while at a gas station in San Antonio[/caption]

News4SanAntonioThe grandmother was left bloodied and bruised by the thug who stole her car[/caption]

News4SanAntonioBut the thief lost his life moments later after crashing the car[/caption]

Shirlene was left bloodied and bruised by the carjacker who nicked her keys before speeding off with her motor.

But soon after cops found the car totalled on the interstate with the thief lifeless.

Police said that three witnesses tried to intervene and tackle the suspect but he was able to escape with the car.

The grandmother said that she was “sad because he had died” but said that many people had mentioned “karma”.

Shirlene said: “There’s a lot of people who would say what goes around comes around, karma.

“I did not think that; the only thing I got (was) really sad because he had died.

“Now granted, he had hurt me, but the Lord saw fit to take him out of his misery.

“I just don’t want to quit working, and so I’ve got to somehow get another car. And that takes money and stuff, so I’ve got to figure out what to do.”

Locals and Shirlene’s granddaughter Helen Garcia have created a GoFundMe page to help raise funds to buy a replacement car.

By Tuesday morning, donations had exceeded $23,000 despite an initial aim of $5,000.

You can donate here.