The morning rush on San Antonio's Northeast Side turned tragic Wednesday when a silver SUV slammed into the back of an 18-wheeler on Interstate 35, killing the SUV's driver and shutting down the southbound main lanes near O'Connor Road.
San Antonio Fire Department crews pronounced the SUV driver dead at the scene. The 18-wheeler's operator was not injured. Emergency responders closed all main southbound lanes while investigators worked the crash, sending commuters scrambling for alternate routes.
What officials say
San Antonio police said officers were called out around 6:15 a.m. and believe the SUV rear-ended an 18-wheeler that was stopped in traffic. Investigators said the driver, believed to be in their 20s, did not appear to brake before impact and was pronounced dead at the scene, while the truck driver was unhurt, according to KSAT.
Traffic impacts
The Texas Department of Transportation reported that the crash forced closure of all I-35 southbound main lanes, with the shutdown stretching from Judson Road (Exit 170) to O'Connor Road (Exit 169) and creating heavy backups. Traffic data showed delays reaching FM-1518 and prompted officials and traffic services to push alternate surface routes for drivers, according to MySA.
Investigation under way
Police say the investigation remains active, and the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office will identify the victim and determine an official cause of death. As of the latest updates, officials had not released the driver's name, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
I-35 safety concerns
The wreck is the latest serious crash along the I-35 corridor in San Antonio. A wrong-way collision near downtown in late June killed two people and renewed attention to safety on the route, according to KSAT.
The latest crash comes as the Texas Department of Transportation continues work on the I-35 Northeast Expansion (NEX) project, which is aimed at easing congestion and improving safety along the corridor, per TxDOT.
What drivers should know
Authorities urged drivers to steer clear of the area and use alternate routes while crews clear the wreckage and investigators finish their work. Commuters are advised to check real-time traffic maps before heading out and expect lingering delays near the crash scene, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
This is a developing story, and officials are expected to release additional details as the investigation moves forward.
