An overturned 18-wheeler caused major disruptions on Interstate 35 today, near the intersection of Space Center Drive, grinding traffic to a halt and forcing a detour onto Rittiman Road. The accident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning around 1 a.m., resulted in the closure of all three main northbound lanes of the highway, identified by authorities responding to the crash.
Drivers experienced delays as the traffic spill extended for hours with the highway section near Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) remaining inaccessible into the late morning, an already strained rush hour saw commuters seeking alternate routes as the big rig was carrying a load of condemned vegetables provided further complications. According to a report by Fox San Antonio, the vegetables had been quarantined by Homeland Security due to the presence of possible insect larvae, adding another layer of complexity to the cleanup operation.
In a separate but related incident detailed by KSAT, a signal truck working as part of a sweeper convoy was struck by the trailer in question just prior to the highway suffering its closure. The impact was strong enough to warrant a response team including hazmat units who arrived on scene by 6 a.m. to manage the resulting debris and potential hazards.
Despite the significant disruptions and the extensive emergency response, there were no life-threatening injuries reported, both drivers involved were taken to local hospitals for evaluation in the aftermath of the incidents, the respective cleanup and investigation efforts have called upon Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) crews and other services to manage the roadway recovery and assess the full scope of the situation as rush hour drew weary travelers into longer-than-expected commutes. For instantaneous updates on the traffic situation, San Antonio road closures, and Bexar County road closings, motorists are encouraged to stay informed via online resources accessible through Fox San Antonio and KSAT's traffic pages.
