Two Deadly Crashes on I-35 in San Antonio

A wrong-way driver was killed, and a speeding motorcyclist was seriously injured in separate incidents on the interstate.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:55am

San Antonio police responded to two major crashes on Interstate 35 over a 12-hour period, including one that killed a wrong-way driver and another that seriously injured a speeding motorcyclist. The first incident involved a motorcyclist who was weaving between lanes at a high rate of speed before crashing, while the second crash occurred when a wrong-way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes struck another vehicle head-on.

Why it matters

These tragic incidents highlight the dangers of reckless driving behaviors like speeding and driving the wrong way on the highway, which can have devastating consequences for both the driver and other motorists. The crashes also underscore the importance of traffic safety and the need for continued efforts to improve road conditions and driver education.

The details

In the first incident, around 2 p.m. on Friday, a motorcyclist was speeding southbound on I-35 and weaving between lanes before exiting the highway, where he hit two traffic impact reduction devices and was ejected from his bike. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. In the second crash, around 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, a wrong-way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-35 struck another vehicle head-on, causing the wrong-way driver's vehicle to go airborne and hit an 18-wheeler. The wrong-way driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

  • Around 2 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2026.
  • Around 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2026.

The players

Wrong-way driver

A driver between 30 and 40 years old who was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-35 when he struck another vehicle head-on, causing his own vehicle to go airborne and hit an 18-wheeler. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Injured motorcyclist

A speeding motorcyclist who was weaving between lanes on I-35 before exiting the highway, where he hit two traffic impact reduction devices and was ejected from his bike. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Other driver

A 62-year-old man who was driving the vehicle that was struck head-on by the wrong-way driver. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

18-wheeler driver

The driver of the 18-wheeler that was hit by the wrong-way driver's vehicle. They were not injured.

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The takeaway

These tragic incidents on I-35 in San Antonio serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of safe and responsible driving. Reckless behaviors like speeding, weaving between lanes, and driving the wrong way on the highway can have devastating consequences, not only for the driver but also for other motorists on the road. Continued efforts to improve traffic safety, through measures like better road design, driver education, and enforcement of traffic laws, are crucial to preventing such tragedies in the future.