Major Crash Causes Traffic Gridlock on I-37 San Antonio

A major early-morning crash on one of San Antonio’s busiest highways triggered widespread traffic gridlock, leaving commuters stranded for hours and exposing the fragile nature of peak-hour mobility.

The incident occurred around 6:54 a.m. along the northbound lanes of Interstate 37, near the interchange with Loop 410 and U.S. 281, a critical corridor serving thousands of daily commuters. 

Authorities confirmed that three lanes were shut down, instantly reducing road capacity and causing severe congestion stretching back to Southton Road and Donop Road exits. 

Traffic monitoring systems reported:

• Vehicles crawling at 5–20 mph
• Delays lasting up to one hour
• Long queues forming near the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park area  

Images from transport cameras showed vehicles at a complete standstill, with flashing emergency lights indicating active response at the crash scene.

Preliminary findings suggest the crash may have been triggered when a vehicle collided with another that had stalled on the highway. 

The impact led to:

• Closure of middle and right lanes
• Rapid traffic buildup during peak commuting hours

Fortunately, authorities later confirmed that no injuries were reported, despite the severity of the disruption. 

By approximately 9:00 a.m., emergency crews had cleared the scene and all lanes were reopened, restoring traffic flow across the affected section of the highway. 

However, residual congestion lingered as backed-up traffic gradually dispersed.

RoadKing.ng Safety Insight

This incident highlights a critical but often underestimated danger on highways:

Secondary Crashes from Stalled Vehicles

A stalled vehicle on a high-speed road can quickly become a deadly hazard. When drivers fail to:

• Maintain safe following distance
• Stay alert to sudden obstacles
• Reduce speed in congested zones

…it significantly increases the risk of chain-reaction crashes.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions are among the most common types of crashes on highways, often caused by driver inattention or sudden stops.

Road Safety Tips for Drivers

• Always keep a safe following distance, especially during peak hours
• Be alert for hazard lights or stalled vehicles ahead
• Avoid distractions, even a few seconds can cause a collision
• Use early braking and lane awareness in congested traffic