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SAN ANTONIO, Bexar County, Texas, Sept. 22, 2026 — A 3-year-old child was taken to a hospital on Tuesday morning, September 22, after a three-vehicle crash on the Southeast Side of San Antonio. The crash happened at the intersection of Pecan Valley Drive and the Interstate 37 access road.
The San Antonio police said that one of the vehicles may have run a red light, leading to a collision with a second vehicle. The impact reportedly struck the passenger side of that vehicle, near where the child's car seat was positioned.
The child appeared to have injuries to the right side of the body and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A third vehicle was sideswiped in the crash, and officers said the other drivers involved appeared to be uninjured.
Investigators said the crash appeared to be accidental, and no criminal charges are expected at this time. Further findings have not been released.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
How Investigators Piece Together a Multi-Vehicle Crash
A crash involving three vehicles rarely gets a clear explanation in the first hours. Officers on scene focus first on getting people out and to a hospital, then on documenting the intersection: traffic signal timing, skid marks, vehicle positions, and any camera footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras.
Determining which vehicle entered an intersection against a red light often takes more than a witness account. Investigators may pull signal timing records, review dashcam or surveillance video if it exists, and measure vehicle damage patterns to reconstruct the order of impact. That work can take days or weeks, depending on how much evidence is available and how many vehicles were involved.
When a child or other victim is hospitalized, agencies typically hold back full names and detailed medical updates until the family has been notified and privacy rules are satisfied. A final report, including any citations or fault determination, usually follows well after the initial call, once all the pieces, video, signal data, and driver statements, have been checked against each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do multi-vehicle crashes happen at intersections?
They often start when one driver misses or ignores a signal, misjudges another vehicle's speed, or turns without a clear view of oncoming traffic, setting off a chain reaction that can pull in a third vehicle.
What should I do if my car is hit while stopped at a light?
Stay in a safe spot if possible, call 911, and avoid moving an injured passenger unless there's an immediate danger, such as a fire. Let responding officers document the scene before vehicles are moved, if it's safe to wait.
What are common injuries for children in car seats during side-impact crashes?
Side impacts can cause injuries to the head, shoulder, or torso on the side closest to the collision, even when a car seat is installed correctly. Any child involved in this kind of crash should be evaluated by a doctor, even if injuries seem minor at first.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in San Antonio, TX
If you're involved in or witness a multi-vehicle crash, call 911 right away and stay as far from traffic as safety allows. Even minor injuries, especially in children, should be checked by a medical professional soon after, since some symptoms may take hours to appear.
Get contact information from other drivers and note any details you remember about traffic signals or vehicle movement, since that can help investigators later. Keep any paperwork from police or medical providers together, and follow up with the responding agency if you need a copy of the crash report for insurance purposes.
