Excessive speed and no seat belt is a dangerous combination.
34-Year-Old Man Killed After Being Ejected in High-Speed Rollover Crash on I-35
According to a News4SanAntonio report, a man is dead after crashing his car on I-35 in New Braunfels on Tuesday.¹
Police say the accident happened at around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd, in the 2900 block of North I-35 in New Braunfels. A 34-year-old man from Schertz was driving a Ford Fusion, speeding and weaving through traffic, when he sideswiped a pickup truck and overcorrected. He rolled over as a result and was ejected from the vehicle. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
EMS performed life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Did You Know?
45.34% of people killed in fatal accidents in Texas in 2024, where restraint usage was known, were not wearing a seatbelt.²
Reckless Driving in Texas
It’s no secret that speeding, weaving through traffic, or driving without a seatbelt can have devastating consequences—as this tragic I-35 rollover shows. But many Texans don’t realize that some of these behaviors can legally count as reckless driving, carrying not only criminal penalties but also serious financial consequences if someone gets hurt.
What Counts as Reckless Driving?
Texas Transportation Code §545.401 defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” In plain terms, this means driving in a way that knowingly puts others in danger.
This encompasses a broad range of driving behaviors, but some of the most common reckless driving actions include:
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Excessive speeding — traveling well above the posted limit or too fast for conditions.
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Weaving through traffic — cutting off other drivers or making unsafe lane changes.
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Street racing — engaging in speed contests on public roads.
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Tailgating — following other vehicles too closely.
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Driving while distracted or impaired — using a phone, driving drunk, or ignoring the road.
Criminal and Civil Consequences
Reckless driving is considered a misdemeanor offense in Texas. Penalties can include fines up to $200, up to 30 days in county jail, and possible license suspension.
But beyond the criminal side, reckless driving that leads to a crash can create civil liability. Victims of reckless drivers may seek compensation for:
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Medical expenses
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Lost wages
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Pain and suffering
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Property damage
For families of those killed in reckless driving crashes, wrongful death claims may also be an option.
The Role of Seatbelts in Rollover Crashes
In the New Braunfels accident, police reported the driver was not wearing a seatbelt when he was ejected—a common mistake made by many Texans. Seatbelts are critical in rollover crashes: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates they reduce the risk of death for front-seat occupants by 45%.
While reckless driving can cause a crash, failing to wear a seatbelt often determines whether an accident results in serious injury or death. Not to mention that driving without a seatbelt is illegal and carries its own legal consequences.
What to Do If You’re Injured by a Reckless Driver
If you or a loved one has been injured by someone driving recklessly, it’s important to act quickly:
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Seek medical care — Some injuries may not show up right away.
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Call the police — In Texas, you have to call the police if someone is hurt in a crash. Plus, a crash report is critical evidence that helps establish fault.
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Document everything — Photos, witness accounts, and video of the scene can greatly strengthen your case.
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Talk to a lawyer — An attorney can help identify liable parties and negotiate with insurers.
Injured or Lost a Loved One in a Reckless Driving Accident? Call Shaw.
If you’ve been injured—or lost a loved one—because of a reckless driver in Texas, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Emergency Medical Treatment,
- Other Medical Care,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Property Damage,
- Missed Work,
- Wrongful Death,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out if you have a case—for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer in San Antonio. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas for over 32 years because we put our clients first.
We look forward to serving you.