Deadly Pileup on U.S. 90 Near Castroville Kills 72-Year-Old

Crash involving pickup, SUV, and semi-truck shuts down highway for hours, snarling weekend traffic

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car windshield, the cracks and fractures in the glass conceptually representing the devastation of a serious traffic collision.The aftermath of a deadly multi-vehicle pileup on a major Texas highway exposes the ongoing challenges in keeping roads safe for drivers.Castroville Today

A 72-year-old man was killed and two others were seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 90 near Castroville, Texas on Saturday morning. The crash, which involved a pickup truck, SUV, and semi-truck, shut down the westbound lanes of the highway for hours as first responders worked the scene and state troopers launched an investigation.

Why it matters

The U.S. 90 corridor west of San Antonio has seen a rise in serious crashes in recent years as traffic volumes have increased. Transportation officials have been working on safety projects to try to address the issue, but this latest deadly incident highlights the ongoing challenges in keeping the busy highway safe for drivers.

The details

According to authorities, a Toyota pickup traveling eastbound lost control, crossed the median, and veered into the westbound lanes, where it collided with an oncoming SUV and a truck-tractor with trailer. The pickup's only occupant, a 72-year-old man, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the SUV were taken to a San Antonio hospital with serious injuries, while the driver of the truck-tractor was not hurt.

  • The crash was reported just before 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • Westbound lanes of U.S. 90 were reopened around 5 p.m. the same day, although frontage roads in the area remained congested for hours as crews worked to clear the wreckage.

The players

Texas Department of Public Safety

The state law enforcement agency leading the investigation into the cause of the crash.

Medina County Fire/EMS

The local emergency response teams that responded to the scene and worked to secure the area and clear debris.

TxDOT

The Texas Department of Transportation, which has been working on safety upgrades and expansion projects along the U.S. 90 corridor to address the rising number of serious crashes in the area.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Texas Department of Public Safety is continuing its investigation into the cause of the crash, and more details are expected to be released once they are confirmed.

The takeaway

This deadly pileup on U.S. 90 near Castroville highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining safety along this busy highway corridor, and the importance of transportation officials' efforts to address the rising number of serious crashes through infrastructure upgrades and safety initiatives.