San Antonio, TX (September 8, 2026) – A woman died, and a 23-year-old man was seriously injured in a wrong-way collision on Interstate 37 South early on Sunday, September 6. The roadway emergency was reported around 2:47 a.m. near the 13000 block.
Investigators said the woman, believed to be between 20 and 30 years old, was driving the wrong way when her vehicle struck another vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 23-year-old driver of the other vehicle was found alert and taken to a local hospital with major injuries. The woman had not been positively identified in the preliminary report. The accident remains under investigation.
We extend our sincere condolences to the woman’s family and loved ones, and we hope the injured driver makes a full recovery.
Why Are Wrong-Way Highway Collisions Especially Dangerous?
Wrong-way driving can place two vehicles directly in each other’s path while both are traveling at highway speeds. The closing distance disappears quickly, leaving little time for either driver to recognize the danger, brake, or move safely into another lane.
Overnight conditions can make avoidance even harder. Darkness limits sight distance, while a driver may initially interpret approaching headlights as coming from traffic on the opposite side of the roadway rather than from a vehicle traveling against traffic.
Head-on contact can transfer substantial force to both vehicles because they are moving toward one another. Road speed, vehicle size, restraint use, contact angle, and available escape space can all influence the severity of injuries. Median barriers and limited shoulders may further reduce opportunities for evasive movement.