Sunday traffic on Interstate 10 in San Antonio turned dangerous when police say a wrong-way driver triggered a three-vehicle crash that left a 47-year-old woman seriously injured and landed a 41-year-old man in handcuffs.
The collision happened in the 11400 block of I-10 westbound, in the southbound lanes, according to authorities. Officers at the scene arrested the wrong-way driver and said the investigation remains active.
How police say the crash unfolded
Investigators told KENS-TV that a 41-year-old man was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of I-10 when his vehicle slammed into a truck, sparking a three-vehicle chain reaction.
Officers evaluated the driver on scene for possible intoxication, then arrested him on a charge of intoxication assault, KENS-TV reports. A 47-year-old woman involved in the wreck suffered serious bodily injury and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, authorities said.
A pattern of wrong-way crashes in San Antonio
This latest crash slots into a troubling run of wrong-way and suspected intoxication incidents on some of San Antonio's busiest corridors, including I-10 and Loop 1604. The San Antonio Express-News has reported several similar wrong-way collisions this winter that have put multiple people in area hospitals and kept first responders busy.
Legal implications of an intoxication assault charge
In Texas, intoxication assault is a felony. Under Texas Penal Code §49.07, a person who operates a motor vehicle while intoxicated and causes serious bodily injury can face that charge.
Penalties for a third-degree felony, such as intoxication assault, are outlined in Texas Penal Code §12.34 and typically range from two to ten years in prison and fines of up to 10,000 dollars.
What officials say comes next
San Antonio police told KENS-TV that the case is still under investigation, and that they have not yet released the names of those involved.
Detectives are continuing to sort through the circumstances of the wreck and are asking anyone with information to contact the San Antonio Police Department.
