A grim scene unfolded on a San Antonio highway this morning, when a collision involving a car and an 18-wheeler led to a fatal fire and significant traffic disruptions. KENS 5 reported the accident occurred around 8:20 a.m. at Highway 90 and Loop 410 near Ray Ellison Boulevard.
Initial reports suggest that a small car was heading southbound when it somehow managed to abruptly cross into the opposite lanes, striking an 18-wheeler and consequently catching fire, as per KSAT's coverage. The collision's force was such that the car split into two pieces, with one half ending up under the large vehicle's wheels and the other approximately 100 yards down the road.
The accident claimed the life of the car’s driver, a man said to be between 30 and 50 years old. Officials at the scene pronounced him dead in the small vehicle. The driver of the 18-wheeler remained at the site and is cooperating with authorities since the incident, KSAT's team gathered from speaking with police.
As emergency crews and investigators worked to clear the wreckage and further scrutinize the cause of the crash, both directions of travel near the accident site were affected. The Texas Department of Transportation has announced closures of the northbound lanes, with traffic being diverted to Old Pearsall Road and Ray Ellison Blvd, and southbound traffic is also facing delays. The impacted stretch of highway spans approximately 200 yards, leading to a traffic standstill captured by highway cameras, as noted by KENS 5.
This is an ongoing story, and more details are to be provided as law enforcement and emergency services carry on with their investigation. Motorists in the area have been advised to seek alternate routes to avoid the congestion and delays currently plaguing the regular flow of traffic. The public has been urged to keep an eye on local news outlets for timely updates.
