Loop 1604 Can’t Shake the “Death Loop” Moniker

For many years, Loop 1604 has been referred to as the “death loop” due to the many car accidents, injuries, and fatalities that occur on this roadway. Still to this day, it is known as a famously dangerous road, and seems to have earned its “death loop” moniker.

Loop 1604 is a formerly rural, local roadway mainly used by vehicles that needed to get to the dairy farms in San Antonio. However, it also underwent a lot of construction, and eventually expanded into a two-lane highway.  This was when the name “death loop” gained popularity, as many people were involved in devastating car crashes while traveling on it.

Loop 1604 has undergone continuous construction and is now a multi-lane highway that stretches up to 95 miles across San Antonio. However, the “death loop” is still the fourth deadliest highway in Bexar County. According to an article published by San Antonio Express-News, there were 110 car crashes that resulted in at least one fatality on Loop 1604 between 2013 to 2023. Some of the reasons for these deadly accidents include:

• Infrastructure issues
• Road defects and poor conditions
• Driver mistakes
• Reckless and careless driving
• Drunk or intoxicated driving
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Construction and road work
• Traffic congestion

Although steps have been taken to improve various roads including Loop 1604 across San Antonio and the rest of Texas, the number of traffic-related accidents and fatalities will likely continue for several years to come.

Recent accidents that took place on Loop 1604 in San Antonio

Many serious accidents occur on Loop 1604 in San Antonio every single week. Here are six of the most recent accidents:

1. In March 2024, a semi-truck hydroplaned and crashed near Loop 1604. The truck hit the wall while turning onto the highway and landed on a grassy hill. The vehicle caught fire, but the driver was able to escape.
2. In January 2024, a pickup truck collided into a construction crane in a work zone on Loop 1604. The roof of the truck was completely ripped off, and the driver was pronounced dead by emergency responders at the accident scene.
3. In December 2023, an 18-year-old riding a motorcycle crashed on Loop 1604. He struck a street sign and was thrown from his bike, landing directly on the hard pavement. He passed away at the hospital.
4. In November 2023, an SUV rolled over on Loop 1604 several times. No other vehicles were involved, but the four people in the SUV were ejected from the vehicle. It is believed that the driver lost control of the vehicle at the time of the accident. All four people were transported to a nearby hospital where they were listed in critical condition.
5. In July 2023, a person driving a pickup truck was involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler on Loop 1604. The pickup truck caught fire while the driver was pinned inside; he was pronounced dead at the accident scene.
6. In June 2023, a Tesla and a water truck were involved in a head-on collision on Loop 1604. The Tesla driver was trapped inside the vehicle, but firefighters were eventually able to free him. He was quickly transported to the hospital and determined to be in critical condition.

Are there certain areas of Loop 1604 that are more dangerous than others?

While the entire Loop 1604 is dangerous, there are a few areas that are more dangerous than others, such as:

• Braun Road: Braun Road intersects with Loop 1604. Many people may take Braun Road to get to various businesses, restaurants, and shops. However, many drivers become confused when navigating this area of Loop 1604 as there are several different stops and turns which are frequently missed.
• Interstate 10: On the north and east side of San Antonio lie Interstate 10 and Loop 1604 intersections. Many vehicles speed to use the access ramps. In addition, many drivers do not pay attention or fail to realize that there are other drivers nearby when they suddenly switch lanes.
• San Pedro Avenue: This portion of Loop 1604 is always congested with traffic. However, due to the amount of traffic, it only takes one mistake to cause a fatal accident.

At Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney, we believe that car accident victims deserve financial support for their injuries\. No matter how difficult or complex your car accident case may be, Pat Maloney, Jr. is ready and available to assist you. If you are ready to work with San Antonio’s experienced car accident lawyer, call our office or submit our contact form today for a free consultation.