First responders urge caution after a multi-vehicle crash in west San Antonio left several cars wrecked, but miraculously no fatalities.
SAN ANTONIO — Witnesses who stopped to gawk at a multi-vehicle west-side crash Friday morning expressed shock that nobody died.
Joe Arrington, with the San Antonio Fire Department, said, “The key here is that there were no major injuries and as severe as this accident was, it could have been really bad and very fortunately only three drivers were taken just as a precaution to be evaluated.”
Arrington added four firefighters went to the hospital to be checked out as well, but they reported no injuries.
The crash happened around 8:25 at the intersection of Marbach Road and West Military Drive.
Police say SAFD Engine 44 was eastbound on Marbach with their emergency lights on and siren sounding when they entered the intersection and were in a collision with a box delivery truck that was northbound on West Military.
The box truck belonging to Bill Miller Bar-B-Q was partially crushed by the impact and it in turn was in collision with other vehicles.
Police said two small sedans, a pickup and a full-sized SUV had varying degrees of damage. The SUV and one of the sedans were able to be driven away from the scene.
It took wrecker crews almost four hours to untangle the wreckage of the other vehicles.
Arrington said the crash is a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance on the road.
“Obviously intersections are some of the most dangerous things that we face, that firefighters and police officers face when we’re responding to emergencies,” Arrington said, adding “There’s some confusion of what drivers should do when you see a fire truck or a police car or ambulance but state law says slow down, pull to the right, and let us pass.”
Arrington said it’s easy for drivers to be distracted.
“The four-way intersections, busy intersections like this one, not everyone always sees an emergency vehicle coming,” Arrington said.
A spokesman for Bill Miller said they believe their driver is doing well. A family member for a woman driving a Toyota pickup said she was alert but shaken.
A condition update was not available for the driver of a small black sedan that ended up crushed under the box truck when it partially tipped over.
Two giant wreckers with hoists were brought in to help pull the wreckage apart.
It took almost four hours to pry the mangled vehicles free and haul away spilled cargo.
No charges are expected, according to an SAPD sergeant on scene, but it’s still early in the investigation.