Basic Facts

Crash date: April 23, 2026

Crash location: U.S. Highway 281 near Stone Oak Parkway in San Antonio, TX

People involved:

  • Rafael Guadalupe Carlos Jr., 46
  • Unidentified Chevrolet driver, 35

Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash? Yes

Did authorities recommend criminal charges? Yes

Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash? Unknown

Accident Report

San Antonio, TX — April 23, 2026, Rafael Carlos Jr. was killed in an alleged drunk driver accident at about 6:50 p.m. on U.S. Highway 281.

Authorities said a Chevrolet pickup was towing a Dodge Ram while heading north when it hit a crash barrier near Stone Oak Parkway, causing both vehicles to catch fire.

Dodge driver Rafael Guadalupe Carlos Jr., 46, of Boerne was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The Chevrolet driver, who also was hurt in the crash, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Bexar County crash at this time.

How Did This Accident Occur?

Investigators likely will scrutinize physical evidence, witness statements, data from the vehicles and any available video footage as they work to reconstruct this accident, but their probe should reach further if blood tests confirm the Chevrolet driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash. It is important to figure out where he had been drinking before this accident.

It’s one thing if he had been drinking at home, but others may share responsibility for this crash under Texas law if he had been drinking at a bar or restaurant. Alcohol providers can be held responsible for injuries caused by a patron who was served while visibly intoxicated. I’m not claiming that is what happened in this instance, but the Dodge driver’s family deserves to know everyone who may have played a role in this crash.

Do you know anything that could help with this investigation? Let us know in the comment section.

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