San Antonio, TX – Six people were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon following a dramatic head-on collision on the New Medina River Bridge in San Antonio, leaving a pickup truck dangerously balanced on the bridge’s guardrail. Police described the situation as an “absolute miracle” that the truck did not fall into the riverbed below.
The crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. on the south side of the bridge, just off Pleasanton Road, south of Mitchell Lake. According to the San Antonio Police Department, a northbound Toyota Camry collided head-on with a southbound white Chevrolet truck at the crest of the bridge. The impact caused the truck to flip onto its side, leaving it precariously perched between the railing and the concrete embankment.
“Luckily it got caught there and stayed there,” said Sergeant Daniel Contreras. “It flipped over and it’s hanging off the guardrail and part of the ditch… it just luckily got stopped right there.”
Collision Involves Multiple Vehicles
The crash did not end with just the two initial vehicles. The Camry spun from the collision and struck a nearby Toyota RAV4, increasing the number of victims. Six people across the three vehicles were transported to hospitals for treatment. Four were taken to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMMC), while two were taken to University Hospital. Authorities reported that all sustained minor injuries, except the Camry driver, who was hospitalized in life-threatening condition.
Traffic detectives visited hospitals to interview the victims and reconstruct the sequence of events. Investigators suspect the Camry may have been speeding, but they are still working to determine which vehicle lost control first.
Local Residents Raise Concerns Over Road Safety
Residents along Pleasanton Road say crashes like this have become all too common, particularly between Moursund Boulevard and Loop 1604. Maria “Nena” Reyes, who lives south of the crash, reported multiple accidents over the years and says she has repeatedly requested road repairs.
“This is not the first one. I have seen several car accidents on this road,” Reyes said. “I have already reported that this road needs to be fixed and they don’t fix it.”
Reyes emphasized that heavy traffic, including diesel trucks and brick-hauling rigs, is causing rapid deterioration of the roadway, making it dangerous for drivers. She expressed concern that potholes and uneven pavement can cause vehicles to lose control unexpectedly.
Structural Concerns About the Bridge
Residents also expressed worries about the structural integrity of the New Medina River Bridge. Reyes warned that without proper repairs, future accidents could be even more severe. “One of these days something’s gonna collapse and [cause cars to] lose control more than what they did right now,” she said.
As Thanksgiving approaches, Reyes shared her sympathy for the victims, saying she feels “heartbroken for the victims and their families” who may not be able to spend the holiday together due to the crash.
Road Reopens After Six Hours
Traffic on Pleasanton Road was disrupted for nearly six hours, with drivers forced to turn around due to backups in both directions. Authorities finally reopened the road just before 10 p.m., restoring normal traffic flow.
What Are Your Thoughts?
Do you think San Antonio should prioritize road and bridge repairs to prevent crashes like this?
Share your opinion in the comments — your voice matters!
