Wrong-Way Driver Killed in Deadly I-35 Crash in San Antonio

Police say the suspect collided head-on with another vehicle before striking an 18-wheeler.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 10:55am

A man believed to be between 30 and 40 years old was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of I-35 in San Antonio when he collided head-on with a vehicle driven by a 62-year-old man. The suspect's vehicle then struck an 18-wheeler. The wrong-way driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation remains ongoing.

Why it matters

Wrong-way driving incidents are a major public safety concern, often resulting in deadly crashes. This incident highlights the need for increased awareness, education, and potential infrastructure improvements to prevent such tragedies on San Antonio's highways.

The details

According to police, the suspect was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of I-35 when he collided head-on with a vehicle driven by a 62-year-old man. The suspect's vehicle then went airborne and struck an 18-wheeler. The wrong-way driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other driver was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured.

  • The incident occurred around 4:15 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2026.

The players

San Antonio Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the incident.

The 62-year-old driver

The driver of the vehicle that was struck head-on by the wrong-way driver.

The 18-wheeler driver

The driver of the 18-wheeler that was also involved in the crash.

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What’s next

The San Antonio Police Department said the investigation remains ongoing and additional information may be released as it becomes available.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of addressing wrong-way driving, which can have devastating consequences for both drivers and the public. Authorities will likely examine potential contributing factors and consider measures to enhance highway safety and prevent similar accidents in the future.