SAN ANTONIO, TX — A 3-year-old child was taken to the hospital after a three-car crash on San Antonio’s Southeast Side, according to police. Officers said the collision happened at Pecan Valley Drive and the Interstate 37 access road.
Investigators believe one of the vehicles may have run a red light before the crash. Police said the impact struck the passenger side of the car where the child’s seat was located.
The child was reported to have injuries on the right side of the body, but the injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Police say one vehicle may have entered against the light
San Antonio police said the crash appears to have started when one driver may have failed to stop for a red light. That detail is central to the preliminary account of how the wreck unfolded at the busy Southeast Side intersection.
Authorities did not say which vehicle may have entered the intersection against the signal. They also did not identify the drivers involved in the crash.
The circumstances remain under review, but officers have said the collision looks accidental rather than intentional. At this stage, police do not expect criminal charges.
Child’s car seat took the force of the impact
Police said the worst of the impact landed on the passenger side of the vehicle carrying the child. That is the area where the car seat was positioned, which helped explain how the child was hurt in the collision.
Officers said the child appeared to have injuries to the right side of the body. Even so, the injuries were not considered life-threatening, and the child was hospitalized for treatment.
The crash highlights how quickly a side-impact collision can become dangerous, especially when a child is seated near the point of contact. Police did not release additional medical details.
Third car was sideswiped during the collision
A third vehicle was also involved and was sideswiped during the crash, police said. That means the wreck did not involve only the two cars that first collided, but affected traffic for an additional driver as well.
Authorities said the other drivers appeared to be OK. No other serious injuries were reported in the crash response described by police.
Police have not said whether any of the vehicles had passengers beyond the child whose injuries drew the most concern. The investigation focuses on how the chain reaction began and how the damage spread across the intersection.
Why investigators say the crash appears accidental
For now, police are treating the incident as an accident. That assessment matters because it means investigators do not currently see signs of a crime tied to the crash.
Officers said no criminal charges are expected at this time. They have not announced any citations or other enforcement action connected to the wreck.
The preliminary view is consistent with a traffic collision in which signal timing, speed, or driver inattention may have played a role. Police have not publicly detailed those factors, but they did say the case does not appear to involve criminal conduct.
Busy Southeast Side intersection draws attention after crash
The crash happened at a major crossing near Interstate 37, where Pecan Valley Drive meets the access road. Intersections like that often carry a mix of local traffic and vehicles entering or leaving the highway system.
Because the collision involved a child and multiple vehicles, it is likely to draw concern from drivers who use the area regularly. Police have not said whether the intersection was closed or how long emergency crews remained on scene.
What is known is limited to the injury, the suspected red-light violation, and the fact that the incident is being handled as an accident rather than a criminal case.