SAN ANTONIO — A driver died on June 8, 2026, following a rear-end collision with a stopped 18-wheeler on Interstate 35 near O'Connor Road. San Antonio police stated the driver involved in the June 8, 2026 crash was distracted.

The location of the fatal accident saw significant traffic incidents in the previous year. The stretch of Interstate 35 near O'Road had the highest number of crashes of any portion of the highway in Antonio in 2025, according to Texas Department of Transportation crash data. A total of 154 crashes were reported near O'Road on Interstate 35 in 2025.

State transportation authorities addressed the conditions on the highway in light of the ongoing work. Department of Transportation officials stated, "I-35 is one of the most traveled corridors in the state and currently includes active work zones that require motorists to pay close attention." The agency also emphasized its stance on driver behavior during these periods. Department of Transportation officials stated, "Safety is TxDOT’s top priority, and we urge drivers to slow down and stay alert in construction zones." The Department of Transportation project team routinely inspects the Interstate 35 corridor for potential safety improvements.

The highway is currently undergoing multiple expansion efforts. The targeted completion date for the Interstate 35 Northeast Expansion Program South Phase 1 project is late 2028. Three other phases of the Interstate 35 Northeast Expansion Program are under design.

The fatality occurred on a segment of highway that recorded the highest crash volume in Antonio during 2025. The Department of Transportation maintains active work zones along this heavily traveled corridor while conducting routine safety inspections and pursuing multi-phase expansion projects scheduled for completion through late 2028.