SAPD: Man dies in I-35 collision with 18-wheeler

A man died after his car and an 18-wheeler collided on Interstate 35, according to San Antonio police.

The 18-wheeler was traveling south in the right lane of Interstate 35 about 6:45 p.m. Friday when it moved to the left lane to avoid a tow truck going in reverse on the right shoulder, the San Antonio Police Department said. The driver of the tow truck was assisting a disabled vehicle near the 8700 block of I-35.

The 18-wheeler’s “anticollision braking system” activated to slow it down as it switched lanes, causing a dark-colored sedan in the left lane to slow down and veer toward the highway’s left guardrail, police said. A red pickup in the right lane also slowed down but stayed in its lane, according to a SAPD preliminary report.

Police said a man driving a 2018 Ford Focus didn’t slow down but instead tried to drive between the sedan and pickup and go around the 18-wheeler’s right side. He collided with the back right of the 18-wheeler, SAPD said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not been identified.