A tragic accident on Highway 281 in San Antonio claimed the life of one person and left another injured. A 63-year-old man was killed while attempting to help a fellow motorist with a flat tire when a multi-vehicle crash unfolded late yesterday evening, according to police reports from the scene.
Authorities say the man parked his Red Ford F-350 on the highway's right shoulder to assist a 52-year-old man with his disabled Black Dodge Dart. A silver Toyota 4Runner traveling in the same direction was forced to veer right abruptly, striking the Ford's trailer, as an unidentified vehicle drifted dangerously into its path. The chain-reaction collision resulted in the Ford's trailer being hit, followed by the Dart, and eventually caused the 63-year-old good Samaritan to be struck and sent tragically off the bridge.
According to KENS 5, the incident occurred around 8 p.m. in the 4500 block of Highway 281. The area was reportedly slick from recent rainfall, which may have contributed to the difficulty of navigating the road. Officials noted that the trailer attached to the Ford F-350 was sticking out past the solid white line, posing an additional hazard on the congested roadway.
"The Toyota struck the Ford who says the trailer attacked was sticking past the solid white line," police told KENS 5. Following the initial collision, the Dart was hit and did a quarter rotation, making contact with another vehicle, a Black Mazda, and was eventually forced off the bridge, resulting in the help-seeking man's death. The driver of the Dart was hospitalized with abdominal injuries but is expected to make a full recovery.
The driver of the Toyota 4Runner, which sustained significant front-end damage, stopped at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement. "The driver of the Toyota 4Runner was evaluated and was found not to be intoxicated," San Antonio police stated, as reported by KSAT. Despite the tragic consequences, officials indicated that no criminal charges are expected to be filed in relation to the incident.
The names of the individuals involved have not been released as the investigation continues. The San Antonio Police Department, San Antonio Fire Department, and EMS all responded to the devastating accident. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards encountered when motorists are forced to stop on busy highways, and the critical importance of exercising caution to avoid further tragedy.
