An early morning crash on Wetmore Road near San Antonio International Airport has claimed the life of one man and left several others with severe injuries. The fatal collision occurred around 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, on the 8000 block of Wetmore Road, just past its intersection with Broadway Street in northeast San Antonio. The location is a major thoroughfare that runs near the airport and Loop 410, serving as a key route for commuter and airport traffic.
San Antonio Police Department officers arrived to find a white minivan had crashed violently into the rear of an 18-wheeler tractor-trailer. The semi-truck was transporting jet fuel at the time of the incident. The impact was significant, leaving the passenger vehicle with extensive damage and resulting in the closure of Wetmore Road in both directions for several hours during the emergency response and investigation.
The driver of the minivan, 58-year-old Juan Peralta, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death an accident caused by blunt force injuries. A total of four passengers were inside the minivan with Peralta, three of whom were transported from the crash site to area hospitals with critical, life-threatening injuries.
The injured passengers have been identified as members of Peralta’s family. They include his 48-year-old son-in-law, Johnny Aguinaga, and his 21-year-old grandson, Alonzo Aguinaga. Following the crash, both men were admitted to intensive care units at separate hospitals, where they underwent multiple surgeries and remained in critical condition.
San Antonio Police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the minivan striking the rear of the 18-wheeler. No other vehicles were involved in the collision. As is standard in complex crashes, investigators will examine physical evidence from the scene, potential vehicle malfunctions, roadway conditions, driver behavior, and other factors to determine a cause.
The crash has devastated a local family, with three generations involved in a single tragic event. Juan Peralta is remembered as a beloved member of the Natalia community. The family has received an outpouring of community support while they grieve their loss and pray for the recovery of the two hospitalized men.