Suspected intoxicated wrong-way driver taken into custody after early-morning crash on San Antonio’s Interstate 35

What happened

A suspected intoxicated driver was taken into custody after a wrong-way crash on Interstate 35 early Sunday, March 1, 2026, the San Antonio Police Department said. Officers were dispatched shortly after 2 a.m. to the 13000 block of I-35 South following reports of a vehicle traveling north in the southbound lanes. Police said the crash occurred and the driver was located afterward.

The driver was identified as a 44-year-old woman. She was evaluated at the scene and was found to be intoxicated, police said. Authorities reported no major injuries.

Status of the investigation

Police described the case as an ongoing investigation and did not immediately release additional details about the sequence of events leading to the collision, the number of vehicles involved, or whether any drivers or passengers were transported to hospitals. Authorities have not publicly detailed whether chemical testing was conducted, which can be a key factor in DWI-related investigations and potential charges.

Why wrong-way crashes draw heightened scrutiny

Wrong-way incidents on high-speed roadways are a major enforcement and safety concern because they raise the likelihood of head-on collisions. In Texas, intoxication-related crashes can lead to a range of criminal charges depending on factors such as measured impairment, the presence of injuries, and prior driving history. When a crash produces serious bodily injury or death, felony-level charges can apply.

Local context: similar I-35 cases have led to severe outcomes

San Antonio has seen other wrong-way crash investigations on I-35 in recent years, including cases that resulted in fatalities and felony charges. In one 2025 case, authorities alleged a wrong-way driver caused a head-on collision that killed a passenger and critically injured another person, leading to intoxication-related felony accusations. Those cases underscore how quickly wrong-way driving can escalate from a traffic hazard to a life-threatening event.

What’s next

• Police are expected to continue reconstructing the crash and documenting driver impairment indicators and any test results.

• If charges are filed or upgraded, court records may clarify allegations, bond conditions, and restrictions such as ignition-interlock requirements or license limitations.

• Investigators may also determine whether any contributing factors—such as roadway access points, signage, or driver confusion—played a role.

San Antonio police reported that no major injuries were immediately identified in the March 1, 2026 crash and that the suspected driver was taken into custody after being found intoxicated.

Authorities have not released further details as of Monday, March 2, 2026.