Man in Head-On Crash While Driving an Electric Wheelchair Hospitalized

SAN ANGELO, TX — San Angelo police responded to a major collision on N. Chadbourne Street around 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Officers arrived to find an individual who had been ejected from their electric wheelchair. By the time San Angelo LIVE! reached the scene, emergency medical services had already transported the victim to a local hospital.

Initial reports from an eyewitness suggested the incident involved a hit-and-run driver striking the wheelchair user. However, police later clarified the details.

According to authorities, an 81-year-old man was operating his electric wheelchair northbound in the inside southbound lane, traveling against the flow of traffic. Due to poor visibility in the dark conditions, an oncoming motorist failed to see the man and collided with him head-on. The wheelchair overturned, resulting in major injuries to the operator, who remains hospitalized.

Police blocked off N. Chadbourne Street between 17th and 18th streets to conduct a required major crash investigation, as mandated by department policy for incidents involving serious injury or fatality.

No arrests or citations were issued, with investigators deeming the event an unfortunate accident attributed to inadequate lighting on the wheelchair and the dimly lit street. Authorities noted that while it is legal to operate an electric wheelchair on city roadways, operators must travel with the flow of traffic, not against it, to ensure safety.