A violent multi-vehicle collision in West San Antonio left seven people hospitalized after a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a commercial delivery truck, triggering a chain-reaction crash involving multiple vehicles.
According to reporting from KENS 5 News (February 20, 2026), the crash occurred around 8:25 a.m. at the intersection of Marbach Road and West Military Drive. San Antonio Fire Department Engine 44 was traveling eastbound with emergency lights, and sirenswere activated when it entered the intersection and collided with a northbound box delivery truck belonging to Bill Miller Bar-B-Q.
The box truck was partially crushed and subsequently struck several other vehicles, including two sedans, a pickup, and a full-sized SUV. Seven individuals, including four firefighters, were transported to the hospital for evaluation. Fortunately, officials reported no life-threatening injuries.
While no fatalities occurred, the severity of the wreckage—and the four-hour recovery effort—highlight just how dangerous intersection crashes involving emergency vehicles can be.
And legally, these cases are far more complicated than they appear. At the Burkett Law Firm, our experienced truck accident lawyers in Corpus Christi are here to help. Call for a free consultation to discuss your claim.
Emergency Vehicle Crashes Raise Unique Legal Questions in Texas
Texas law gives emergency vehicles certain privileges when responding to active emergencies. Fire trucks, ambulances, and police vehicles may:
- Proceed past red lights after slowing as necessary
- Exceed speed limits within reason
- Disregard certain traffic regulations
However, those privileges are not unlimited.
Under Texas law, emergency drivers must still operate their vehicles with “due regard” for the safety of others. That means lights and sirens do not automatically shield a department or driver from liability if reckless or negligent behavior contributed to a crash.
In the Marbach and West Military collision, Engine 44 reportedly had lights and sirens activated. But intersections are among the most dangerous environments for first responders. Even with proper signals, confusion, limited sightlines, and distracted drivers can lead to devastating impacts.
When a crash involves:
- A city fire department vehicle
- A commercial delivery truck
- Multiple civilian vehicles
Liability becomes layered and fact-intensive.
Who May Be Responsible in a Multi-Vehicle Intersection Crash?
At first glance, people often assume “no charges expected” means “no one is liable.” That is not necessarily true.
Criminal charges and civil liability are separate issues.
In cases like this, responsibility may potentially involve:
The Emergency Vehicle Operator
If the fire truck entered the intersection at an unsafe speed for the traffic conditions, failed to slow appropriately, or did not ensure adequate visibility, liability could be examined under negligence standards.
The Commercial Truck Driver
Drivers are required to yield to emergency vehicles. However, real-world scenarios can involve obstructed views, signal timing, heavy traffic, or delayed reaction.
The City or Government Entity
If a fire department driver is found negligent, claims may be brought against the governmental entity under the Texas Tort Claims Act. These cases involve strict notice requirements and damage caps.
Other Contributing Drivers
Secondary collisions sometimes involve drivers who failed to stop, were distracted, or followed too closely.
The fact that the Bill Miller box truck partially tipped and crushed a smaller sedan shows how quickly impact forces escalate when larger commercial vehicles are involved.
Determining fault requires:
- Traffic signal timing analysis
- Black box or telematics data (if available)
- Dashcam footage
- Witness statements
- Intersection design evaluation
- First responder logs
Without early legal intervention, crucial evidence can be lost.
Why Intersection Crashes Are So Dangerous: Especially With Fire Trucks
Intersections already account for a significant percentage of serious crashes in Texas. Add an emergency vehicle traveling with lights and sirens, and the risk multiplies.
San Antonio Fire Department officials emphasized after the crash that drivers must slow down, pull to the right, and yield to emergency vehicles when they approach. That’s correct under Texas law.
But real-world driving conditions complicate that instruction:
- Drivers may have music playing loudly.
- Windows may be up with limited siren audibility.
- Traffic congestion can block escape routes.
- Large commercial trucks have limited maneuverability.
In this case, the fire engine struck a box truck that then collided with several additional vehicles. Even when an emergency response is justified, physics doesn’t bend for flashing lights.
When heavy vehicles collide at intersections:
- Vehicles can tip or roll
- Smaller cars can become trapped or crushed
- Debris scatters into cross traffic
- Secondary impacts multiply injuries
The fact that no one suffered catastrophic injuries in this crash is fortunate. It easily could have ended differently.
What To Do If You’re Injured in a Crash Involving an Emergency Vehicle
Accidents involving government vehicles require immediate legal attention due to different rules.
In Texas, claims against a city or governmental agency are governed by the Texas Tort Claims Act. This law:
- Limits recoverable damages
- Requires formal notice within a short time frame (sometimes as little as six months)
- Imposes strict procedural requirements
If you miss those deadlines, your claim can be permanently barred.
At the same time, if a commercial vehicle (like the Bill Miller box truck) contributed to the crash, a separate claim may exist against the company or its insurer.
These cases often involve overlapping investigations:
- Internal city review
- Police crash reconstruction
- Insurance carrier analysis
- Potential third-party claims
Without experienced legal representation, victims can get caught between multiple insurers and government defenses.
How The Burkett Law Firm Can Help After a Multi-Vehicle Crash
When a crash involves emergency vehicles and commercial trucks, the legal terrain gets complicated fast.
The Burkett Law Firm helps injured Texans navigate these high-stakes cases by focusing on four critical areas:
Immediate Evidence Preservation
Government agencies and commercial carriers both maintain records. Securing those early—before they are overwritten or archived—is essential.
Determining Liability Across All Parties
Rather than assuming fault lies in one direction, a full investigation evaluates every contributing factor, from driver conduct to signal timing to departmental protocols.
Navigating Government Immunity Laws
Claims against a city require precise legal handling. Filing deadlines and statutory caps make strategy crucial.
Maximizing Compensation
Even when injuries initially appear minor, medical complications, missed work, and long-term effects can emerge later. A full damages assessment protects victims from settling too early.
The Bigger Picture: Why Vigilance Matters in San Antonio
This west-side crash is a reminder of how quickly a routine commute can turn into a multi-vehicle disaster.
Busy intersections like Marbach Road and West Military Drive experience constant traffic, commercial vehicles, and emergency response activity. Add distraction or split-second hesitation, and the consequences can be severe.
Seven hospitalizations. Multiple crushed vehicles. Four-hour roadway shutdown.
That’s not a minor accident. That’s a warning.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a fire truck, ambulance, police vehicle, or commercial truck in San Antonio or anywhere in Texas, you should not assume the situation is straightforward.
Liability in these cases is nuanced. Deadlines are strict. And insurers—whether private or governmental—do not automatically offer fair compensation.
The Burkett Law Firm offers consultations to evaluate your rights, explain your legal options, and help you move forward with clarity.
When complex crashes happen, a strong legal strategy matters.
