An early-morning crash on Interstate 35 turned deadly Friday when a 27-year-old driver was killed after wrecking his vehicle, stepping out, and then being struck by a second car that sped away, according to San Antonio police.
The collision happened around 2:30 a.m. on I-35 northbound near Binz-Engleman Road, officers said. According to KSAT, a preliminary San Antonio Police Department report states the man lost control of his vehicle, hit a guardrail, and got out of the car before a separate vehicle hit him. KSAT reports that the second driver did not stop and that investigators are now working to track that motorist down. After the crash, the Texas Department of Transportation briefly shut down all northbound lanes of I-35, which were later reopened.
San Antonio Express-News reports the case is being handled as a hit-and-run and described by officials as a “failure to stop and render aid” incident. The outlet notes that when a crash results in a death, the offense can be treated more severely. “This is an active and ongoing investigation,” police told the paper.
Legal implications
Under Texas law, drivers involved in wrecks that cause serious injury or death must stop, provide identification, and offer reasonable assistance. When a crash leads to a fatality, a failure to meet those obligations can be prosecuted as a second-degree felony under Texas Transportation Code § 550.021. The statute details what drivers must do at the scene and allows for prison time and fines if they are convicted, and prosecutors can seek additional charges depending on evidence such as intoxication.
I-35 safety and recent crashes
The deadly incident comes amid a rough stretch on the I-35 corridor. On April 24, an 18-wheeler struck and killed a pedestrian along the interstate, as reported by MySA. Drivers have also been dealing with flooding and repeated shutdowns on downtown sections of I-35, with state crews bringing in temporary pumps to move water, according to flooded I-35 coverage.
