No injuries were reported in the collision, which happened in the King William area. Vandegrift High School’s principal said most instruments were still “intact.”
Darcy Ramirez, David Lynch (KENS 5), KVUE Digital
3:35 PM CST November 3, 2025
3:36 PM CST November 3, 2025
SAN ANTONIO — A tractor-trailer carrying instruments for an Austin high school marching band bound for state competition at the Alamodome was hit by a train just hours before competition Monday afternoon, officials said.
San Antonio police said no injuries were reported in the accident, which happened around 2:40 p.m. near Carolina Street and Hoefgen Avenue, less than a mile from the site of UIL State Marching Band Contest. In a letter to parents regarding the crash, Vandegrift High School Principal Charlie Little said students were at the Alamodome when the collision unfolded.
“No students were present or witnessed the accident, and both driver and passenger were able to successfully and safely exit the tractor trailer before impact,” Little said. “At this time, although it was a catastrophic impact, the bulk of the instruments remain intact, and the main damage was to the tractor cab.”
Little said the tractor-trailer “became stranded” on the tracks before it was hit by the train.
The band posted a message of thanks on social media to everyone who reached out with offers to help in the aftermath of the crash.
A revised schedule of the 6A competition prelims, which began Monday, listed Vandegrift as the final high school performance of the night at 9:15 p.m. The state contest runs from Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10-12, with the Alamodome hosting championships for all UIL levels over the course of those six days.
The 6A finals take place Tuesday.
Leander ISD told our sister statin KVUE that other schools offered to lend their own instruments to help the Vandegrift marching band compete. The Austin high school won the 6A competition in 2022 and 2023.