A late night run through a red light on San Antonio’s East Side ended with a police cruiser crumpled and two people in the hospital early Sunday, after officers say a 37-year-old woman plowed into a patrol unit while driving drunk.
The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of South W.W. White Road and East Southcross Boulevard. Investigators say the woman allegedly ran the red light and struck the officer’s vehicle, leaving both drivers with major injuries. Police say the woman was driving while intoxicated and is expected to face a charge of driving while intoxicated.
According to News4SanAntonio, police identified the driver as a 37-year-old woman and said both she and the officer were transported to a local hospital with major injuries. The outlet reports investigators believe alcohol was involved and that the woman ran a red light before the collision. Police told the station the woman is expected to face a DWI charge.
Late-night DUI risk
Texas Department of Transportation data show why crashes like this are so dangerous. TxDOT’s 2024 crash facts list 1,053 fatalities tied to alcohol-impaired drivers last year, and the highest concentration of DUI crashes occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 2:59 a.m., with Sundays the most common day. That statewide pattern helps explain why early morning intersections can be especially hazardous for both motorists and first responders. See the Texas Department of Transportation for the full data.
Legal implications
The driver is expected to face a DWI charge, and prosecutors could pursue more serious counts if investigators determine intoxication caused serious bodily injury. Under Texas law, intoxication assault (Penal Code §49.07) is generally a third degree felony when intoxication causes serious bodily injury, and intoxication manslaughter (Penal Code §49.08) applies if a death results. For statutory language and penalties, see the Texas Penal Code.
What’s next
The San Antonio Police Department’s crash investigation procedure assigns traffic investigators to serious collisions and routes the completed reports through the Traffic Investigations Detail for review, with charging decisions ultimately made by prosecutors, the department’s manual explains. Investigators will complete testing and witness interviews before forwarding the case to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office if prosecutors seek charges.
Local coverage shows patrol cars have been involved in several recent crashes, and in March, Hoodline reported two officers hospitalized after a suspected drunk driver struck a cruiser. Authorities said additional details will be released as the investigation continues. We will update this story when officials provide more information.
