Late Friday night, a Jeep crashed along Interstate 35 near North Weidner Road in San Antonio, leaving its driver in critical condition. According to police, the Jeep was headed southbound when it reportedly lost control and slammed into a guardrail. The impact sent it spinning back into the highway, where it collided with the rear of a semi-truck that was parked on the shoulder. Emergency responders transported the driver to the hospital with serious injuries. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
Whenever I read about a serious collision like this, especially one involving a vehicle veering off course and crashing into a semi, I think about how vital it is to determine exactly how the sequence unfolded. In my experience, highway crashes are rarely caused by just one factor. Getting to the bottom of what happened helps answer critical questions and that process starts with a detailed investigation.
What Investigators Need to Determine
Right now, it's not clear why the Jeep lost control in the first place. That’s why investigators should look closely at all possible contributors—from driver actions to mechanical issues. If the Jeep swerved suddenly, was it trying to avoid another vehicle? Did the Jeep have a defect that led to a sudden movement? These are the kinds of questions that must be answered to piece together what occurred in the moments before the initial impact.
Evidence That Can Clarify the Chain of Events
Crash scene evidence such as skid marks, debris patterns, and the final resting positions of the vehicles can help reconstruct how the Jeep moved and where the semi-truck was positioned. Investigators should also examine dash cam footage, surveillance video from nearby traffic cameras, and any witness accounts that could shed light on how quickly the events unfolded. If the semi-truck had an Engine Control Module (ECM), its data may show whether it was stationary or in motion at the time of impact.
Why a Thorough Investigation Matters
From my perspective, a complete investigation helps answer the questions that matter most: what went wrong, and could anything have been done to prevent it? When a crash leads to serious injuries like this one, those affected need a clear picture of what happened and why. That is only possible when every detail is reviewed in a full investigation.