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SAN ANTONIO, Bexar County, Texas, Oct. 1, 2026 — Two men were hospitalized Tuesday night, September 29, after a crash on U.S. Highway 90 West left one vehicle in flames, San Antonio police said. One of the drivers is expected to face DWI charges, according to a police preliminary report.
The crash happened just after 9 p.m. in the 9600 block of U.S. Highway 90 West, San Antonio police said. A 26-year-old man driving westbound reportedly struck the back of a truck driven by a 63-year-old man.
Police said the impact set the suspect's vehicle on fire, trapping him inside. Bystanders pulled him from the burning vehicle before officers reached the scene. Both drivers were taken to a hospital.
The 26-year-old is expected to face DWI charges in connection with the crash, authorities said.
The investigation remains open. Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
When Rear-End Crashes on Highways Turn Severe at Night
Rear-end collisions on highways climb after dark, when headlights narrow what drivers can see and reaction windows shrink. A driver going the speed limit who glances away or misjudges a slowing vehicle ahead often has no time to brake. Fatigue builds as the night goes on, and alcohol-impaired driving becomes more common in the evening and overnight hours, adding a second layer of risk on top of reduced visibility.
Weekday nights carry their own pattern. Traffic thins out after the evening commute, speeds tend to rise on open highway stretches, and a driver who is impaired or inattentive has more room to build speed before impact. Fire risk in these crashes often ties to that closing speed: a high-speed rear impact is more likely to rupture a fuel line or damage a battery system than a low-speed tap.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality occurred every 42 minutes on average in 2023. That pattern concentrates heavily in nighttime hours, when fewer cars are on the road but the ones that crash tend to do so harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a crash like this? Move to a safe spot if possible, call 911, and avoid approaching a vehicle that is smoking or on fire. Let trained responders handle extraction and fire suppression.
How do road and weather conditions factor into highway crashes? Darkness, wet pavement, and glare from oncoming headlights all cut down reaction time. Combined with speed, these conditions make rear-end impacts harder to avoid and often more severe.
Where do most of these crashes happen? Rear-end collisions cluster on high-speed arterial roads and highways, particularly at night when drivers misjudge the speed of slowing or stopped traffic ahead.
What to Do After a Car Accident in San Antonio, TX
If you're involved in a highway crash, get to a safe location away from traffic if you're able, and call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation afterward can catch issues like whiplash or internal injuries that aren't obvious at the scene. Keep a copy of the police report once it's available, and follow up with your insurance provider promptly. If a fire or fuel leak is involved, stay well back and let firefighters confirm the vehicle is safe before anyone approaches.
