The I-35 Corridor Danger: Illegal Truck Drivers on San Antonio’s Deadliest Highway

Interstate 35 through San Antonio represents one of the deadliest highways in Texas for truck accidents. The I-35 corridor carries massive commercial traffic connecting Laredo to San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and beyond. Illegal immigrant truck drivers with fraudulent credentials operate this critical route daily, transporting goods from the Mexican border through major Texas cities. San Antonio sits at the intersection of I-35 and Interstate 10, creating a convergence point where dangerous truckers from multiple routes threaten local families. Understanding the unique risks on the I-35 corridor helps accident victims recognize liability issues when unqualified drivers cause crashes.

I-35 Serves as Critical North-South Corridor

Interstate 35 stretches from Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota, covering 1,568 miles. The highway passes through major Texas cities before continuing north through Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota. Within Texas, I-35 connects the border crossing at Laredo to San Antonio (154 miles), Austin (80 miles north of San Antonio), and Dallas-Fort Worth (194 miles north of Austin).

Commercial truck traffic on I-35 carries tremendous economic importance. The highway serves as the primary route for goods entering the United States through Laredo, the nation’s busiest land port. Trucks transport Mexican imports and exports worth billions of dollars annually. This commercial significance means thousands of 18-wheelers travel I-35 through San Antonio every single day.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that I-35 consistently ranks among the nation’s most dangerous highways for commercial vehicle crashes. Between 2018 and 2022, Interstate 35 recorded 643 traffic fatalities from 591 crashes. Only Interstate 10 and Interstate 20 recorded more deaths during this period.

San Antonio Serves as Critical Junction Point

San Antonio sits at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Interstate 10, making it a critical transportation hub. I-10 runs from California to Florida, passing through San Antonio as it crosses Texas. This intersection serves as a convergence point where commercial traffic from multiple routes converges.

Truck drivers traveling from California to Florida often route through San Antonio on I-10. Drivers hauling cargo from Mexico to northern states use I-35 through San Antonio. This convergence means San Antonio highways see truck drivers from across the nation, including many with questionable credentials from sanctuary states.

San Antonio recorded 860 traffic fatalities between 2018 and 2022, ranking third in Texas behind Houston and Dallas. The city experiences more than 39,000 motor-vehicle collisions annually. Commercial truck traffic contributes significantly to these crash statistics, with hundreds of truck accidents occurring on San Antonio highways each year.

Illegal Immigrant Truckers Travel I-35 Regularly

Recent federal enforcement operations revealed that illegal immigrant truck drivers operate on I-35 regularly. Operation Guardian in Oklahoma arrested 125 illegal immigrants during September 2025, many of whom were commercial drivers traveling between California and eastern states. These drivers used I-35 as part of their regular routes connecting to Oklahoma.

Drivers arrested in Oklahoma had traveled through Texas on Interstate 35 before being encountered by enforcement. The same unqualified operators who posed dangers in Oklahoma threatened San Antonio families during their journeys through Texas. Federal enforcement removed these drivers only after they had already operated in Texas multiple times.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data shows that commercial truck drivers from Mexico, Central America, India, China, and other nations operate I-35 with questionable credentials. Many possess licenses from California, New York, or Illinois, issued without proper verification of qualifications or legal status.

Laredo Border Crossing Creates Unique Risks

Laredo serves as the busiest land port between the United States and Mexico. More than 16,000 trucks pass through Laredo daily, carrying imports and exports valued at billions. This enormous commercial traffic flows directly onto I-35 for transport to San Antonio and beyond.

Mexican truck drivers operate under different licensing and regulatory systems than American carriers. NAFTA and USMCA trade agreements allow certain Mexican carriers to operate beyond border zones, but compliance with U.S. safety standards remains inconsistent. Language barriers complicate the enforcement of safety regulations at border crossings.

Some illegal immigrant truck drivers begin their U.S. operations in Laredo after crossing from Mexico. They obtain fraudulent credentials or work for carriers that fail to verify qualifications properly. These drivers enter I-35 at Laredo and immediately threaten San Antonio residents as they travel north through the city.

Construction Zones Compound Dangers

I-35 through San Antonio undergoes ongoing construction as the Texas Department of Transportation expands capacity to accommodate increasing traffic volumes. Construction zones create additional hazards when combined with unqualified truck drivers who cannot read warning signs or understand lane changes.

Illegal immigrant drivers with language barriers may miss construction zone signs warning of reduced speeds, lane closures, and altered traffic patterns. These drivers maintain highway speeds through construction zones where they should slow down. The combination of construction, heavy commercial traffic, and unqualified drivers creates deadly conditions.

Construction zone crashes kill workers and motorists regularly on I-35. When unqualified truck drivers cannot comprehend construction warnings, the risks multiply exponentially. Language proficiency requirements exist precisely to ensure drivers can respond appropriately to changing conditions.

Common I-35 Truck Crash Scenarios

Rear-end collisions occur frequently when trucks cannot stop in time for slowed traffic. Unqualified drivers following too closely or failing to recognize brake lights ahead cause devastating crashes. Language barriers prevent drivers from reading electronic message signs warning about traffic ahead.

Lane departure crashes happen when fatigued or distracted drivers drift from travel lanes. Trucks crossing center medians into oncoming traffic cause head-on collisions with catastrophic results. Hours-of-service violations by illegal immigrant drivers who lack proper documentation contribute to fatigue-related crashes.

Improper lane changes cause crashes when truck drivers fail to check blind spots or cut off other vehicles. Unqualified drivers who do not understand American traffic patterns make dangerous maneuvers. Failed English proficiency prevents drivers from understanding other motorists’ warnings or horn signals.

Tire blowouts and mechanical failures cause crashes when trucking companies skip required maintenance. Carriers that hire illegal immigrants often ignore other safety requirements as well. Poor vehicle maintenance combined with unqualified drivers creates multiple failure points.

Liability for I-35 Corridor Crashes

San Antonio truck accident victims injured on I-35 have strong claims against negligent carriers. Evidence that drivers operated with fraudulent credentials or failed qualification testing establishes company negligence. Trucking companies must verify driver qualifications regardless of economic pressure to find cheap labor.

The high volume of commercial traffic on I-35 increases the likelihood that carriers hired unqualified drivers. Competition for freight rates encourages some companies to cut corners on safety. When these carriers hire illegal immigrants without proper verification, they demonstrate conscious indifference to public safety.

Multiple liable parties often exist in I-35 truck crashes. Freight brokers who select unsafe carriers, cargo owners who pressure drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, and maintenance providers who skip required inspections may all share liability. Experienced attorneys identify every responsible party to maximize recovery.

Protecting San Antonio Families

If an illegal immigrant truck driver injured you on I-35 in San Antonio, contact experienced attorneys immediately. The I-35 corridor’s dangers require attorneys who understand complex liability issues when unqualified drivers cause crashes. You deserve maximum compensation for injuries suffered on Texas’s deadliest commercial highway.

Call today for a free consultation about your I-35 truck accident case. We will investigate thoroughly, identify all liable parties, and pursue full compensation for your serious injuries.