A High-Severity Crash That Stopped San Antonio in Its Tracks

San Antonio drivers are no strangers to traffic congestion — but Friday morning’s crash at one of the city’s most critical highway connectors pushed delays into another category entirely.

Just before 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 16, an 18-wheeler hauling live bees overturned on the ramp connecting I-35 South to I-10 West, forcing a complete shutdown of all lanes and triggering what officials labeled a “high-severity” traffic incident.

For commuters heading toward downtown, the Northside, or major employment corridors, the impact was immediate — and severe.

Traffic maps lit up in red. Emergency alerts were issued. And drivers already committed to the connector found themselves stuck with no quick exit and no clear timeline for reopening.

What Happened: Timeline of the I-35 to I-10 Bee Truck Crash

⏰ Crash Time

• Approximately 9:30 a.m.

• Friday, January 16

📍 Location

• Connector ramp from I-35 South to I-10 West

• Commonly referred to as the Fine Silver Curve

• Northwest edge of downtown San Antonio

🚛 Vehicle Involved

• 18-wheeler tractor-trailer

• Transporting a load of live bees

🚨 Severity Classification

• High-Severity Incident, per Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

Why This Location Matters More Than Most

The I-35/I-10 interchange is one of San Antonio’s most heavily traveled highway junctions, especially during morning and afternoon peak commute times.

According to TxDOT data, this corridor:

• Serves drivers traveling from downtown to the Northside

• Connects I-35 traffic from the south and east into I-10 West

• Acts as a critical route for commercial traffic and daily commuters

When this ramp shuts down, there are limited immediate alternatives, especially for drivers already committed to the curve.

Emergency Response and Hazmat Concerns

Although initial fears centered on the unusual cargo — thousands of live bees — officials quickly clarified that no hazardous material spill involving the bees was reported.

However, that did not mean the scene was simple.

🚒 San Antonio Fire Department Response

• Fire trucks and emergency vehicles deployed

• Hazmat team activated

• Traffic lanes restricted across the interchange

⛽ Diesel Spill Confirmed

• SAFD confirmed a small diesel fuel spill

• Liquid visible flowing down the connector ramp

• Triggered hazmat remediation protocols

An SAFD spokesperson confirmed:

“The remediation of this accident will take an extended period of time and cause significant traffic delays through the day.”

Driver Condition and Safety Update

• The truck driver was transported to a local hospital

• Injuries were reported as minor

• No additional injuries were reported at the scene

Authorities emphasized that public safety remained the priority, especially given the elevated risk factors of:

• Overturned heavy vehicle

• Fuel spill

• Live cargo

• Limited access on a curved ramp

Why Bee Trucks Pose Unique Challenges

While it may sound unusual, this is not the first time a truck hauling bees has overturned at this exact location.

🐝 A Repeat Incident

• A nearly identical crash occurred in 2021

• Same I-35 to I-10 West connector

• Also involved a bee-hauling truck

• Required extended cleanup and traffic closure

Live bee transport involves:

• Specialized containment systems

• Temperature-controlled conditions

• Safety protocols that complicate removal and recovery

This makes cleanup significantly longer than standard freight accidents.

Traffic Impact: Why Delays Were So Severe

By mid-morning, traffic monitoring services showed:

• Solid red congestion lines

• Stop-and-go conditions stretching miles

• Delays affecting downtown, Northside, and Westside routes

🚦 Lanes Impacted

• All lanes on the I-35 → I-10 West connector

• Reduced capacity where I-10 / U.S. 87 ramps merge

• Emergency vehicles occupying multiple lanes

Official Guidance: What Drivers Were Told to Do

Traffic monitoring service SigAlert and local officials advised drivers to:

✅ Exit Early

• Exit I-35 at San Pedro Avenue

• Or Main Avenue

• Avoid committing to the Fine Silver Curve ramp

❌ Avoid the Area

• Especially during afternoon commute hours

• Expect extended delays throughout the day

Why Afternoon Commute Was at Risk

This interchange is a prime outbound route for:

• Downtown workers heading north

• Medical district commuters

• UTSA-area traffic flows

• Freight and delivery vehicles

With remediation expected to take hours, not minutes, officials warned that:

• Afternoon traffic could be worse than morning

• Secondary roads may experience overflow congestion

• Navigation apps may lag behind real-time conditions

How This Fits Into San Antonio’s Bigger Traffic Picture

San Antonio continues to experience:

• Rapid population growth

• Increased freight movement

• Heavier daily commute volumes

• Aging highway infrastructure under strain

Incidents like this highlight:

• The vulnerability of major connectors

• The ripple effect of a single high-severity crash

• The importance of real-time traffic awareness

What Drivers Should Learn From This Incident

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Certain ramps have no fast escape once committed

• High-severity crashes can shut down entire corridors

• Unusual cargo can dramatically extend cleanup times

• Checking traffic before peak commute hours matters

Current Status and Ongoing Updates

As of the 11:50 a.m. update, officials confirmed:

• All lanes remained blocked

• Cleanup and investigation ongoing

• No confirmed reopening timeline

Drivers were urged to:

• Monitor TxDOT updates

• Use navigation apps cautiously

• Allow extra travel time if unavoidable

Final Thoughts

What began as a single-vehicle crash quickly escalated into a citywide traffic disruption due to location, cargo, and environmental factors.

For San Antonio drivers, this incident serves as a reminder that:

• Infrastructure chokepoints matter

• Not all crashes are equal

• Planning ahead can save hours of frustration

Stay alert, stay informed, and when in doubt — exit early.