Spurs playoff wins have once again pulled fans onto Southwest Military Drive, but what used to be a honk-and-wave ritual is now skidding into something far riskier. Alongside the usual car flags and celebratory traffic jams, videos and police reports show burnouts, people riding on car roofs, fireworks popping off and, in one especially hair-raising case, a truck rolling over and triggering a gasoline fire. The escalating chaos has brought a heavy police response and a handful of arrests, leaving nearby residents nervous about a tradition that used to feel a lot more harmless.
As reported by KSAT, city officials say the celebrations have now included a flipped truck, a gasoline-fueled blaze, four-wheelers being driven along sidewalks and a business tagged with spray paint. The station also described a “massive police presence” lining the corridor. Fans interviewed in that coverage were split, with some defending the long-running ritual and others conceding that a few participants have pushed things straight into dangerous territory.
The San Antonio Express-News reported that officers made two arrests after watching several vehicles “burning out” near the Logwood Avenue intersection. According to that account, 18-year-old Jordin Garcia was booked on a reckless driving charge, while 20-year-old Jesus Arredondo was arrested on reckless driving and unlawful carrying of a weapon after officers found a firearm. A third person was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant as part of the same sweep that followed the postgame celebrations.
Police steps and public‑safety guidance
In a statement to KSAT, the San Antonio Police Department said it “supports lawful celebratory activity but must also reduce any public safety risks,” and urged fans to buckle up, obey traffic laws, stay inside their vehicles, skip the fireworks and avoid sitting or riding on top of moving cars. Officers have been staging along the route and, on multiple nights, stepping in when they see spectators or drivers putting themselves or others at obvious risk.
Recent coverage has also reopened the simmering debate over whether big wins should be celebrated downtown or in neighborhood corridors. Axios San Antonio traced the honking tradition back decades and noted that officials have already started limiting access to some of the classic downtown cruising routes during large events. That effort to steer traffic elsewhere is part of a broader push to keep pedestrians safe while still keeping the local playoff ritual alive.
What the law says
Under Texas law, reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense covered by Transportation Code Section 545.401, which bans operating a vehicle in “wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” Unlawful carrying of weapons is addressed in Penal Code Chapter 46. Together, the statutes make it clear that conduct such as burnouts in traffic and displaying or carrying firearms in the middle of a public celebration can bring criminal charges, fines and even potential jail time. (See Tex. Transp. Code §545.401 and Tex. Penal Code Ch. 46.)
Neighbors told local reporters they still appreciate the playoff buzz and Spurs pride but want the most dangerous stunts to end, the San Antonio Express-News reported. City leaders and police say they plan to keep officers stationed along Southwest Military on future playoff nights and are weighing possible route restrictions aimed at protecting both pedestrians and drivers while the celebrations continue.
