Wrong-Way Driver Killed in Head-On Crash on I-35

Bexar County Medical Examiner identifies 36-year-old Matthew Stribling as victim

Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:31pm

The Bexar County Medical Examiner's office has identified a 36-year-old man, Matthew Stribling, as the wrong-way driver killed in a head-on collision on Interstate 35 in San Antonio last weekend. The crash occurred around 4:15 a.m. on January 31 when Stribling was driving southbound in the northbound lanes and collided with another vehicle, causing his car to go airborne and strike an 18-wheeler. Stribling was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Why it matters

Wrong-way driving incidents are a serious public safety concern, often resulting in devastating head-on collisions. This tragic accident highlights the need for improved road signage, driver education, and potential technological solutions to prevent such incidents and protect motorists on major highways like I-35.

The details

According to the San Antonio Police Department, Matthew Stribling, 36, 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. Stribling's vehicle went airborne after the initial impact and then struck an 18-wheeler. Stribling was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other driver was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The truck driver was unharmed.

  • The crash occurred around 4:15 a.m. on January 31, 2026.
  • The Bexar County Medical Examiner's office identified Stribling as the victim on February 5, 2026.

The players

Matthew Stribling

A 36-year-old man who was identified as the wrong-way driver killed in the head-on collision on Interstate 35.

62-year-old man

The driver of the vehicle that was struck head-on by Stribling, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for increased safety measures on major highways to prevent wrong-way driving and protect all motorists. Authorities will likely investigate the factors that led to this collision and explore potential solutions, such as enhanced signage, driver education, and technological interventions, to improve road safety and prevent similar accidents in the future.