A tragic crash on Interstate 20 in Kaufman County, Texas, on Saturday claimed the lives of five people after a trucker allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing a chain reaction involving two other semis and three cars.
The driver, Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni, 27, now faces charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Texas Department of Safety (DPS). Gonzalez-Companioni is being held on a $1.5 million bond.
The Fatal Crash on I-20
The crash occurred at around 2:40 p.m. on February 3, 2024, near the Hiram Road bridge on I-20, while traffic was stopped due to congestion. Gonzalez-Companioni, who was driving westbound in his 18-wheeler, stated that he had fallen asleep at the wheel.
According to Texas DPS Sergeant Kyle Bradford, the trucker was not aware of his actions before the crash.
Witnesses to the horrific scene described a loud, deafening boom. “It was a big boom,” said Shelly Timms, a local resident who witnessed the crash. “Big, big boom.” Corinne Mulcahy, another nearby resident, recalled seeing Gonzalez-Companioni slam into a Ford F-150 that was stalled in traffic, carrying five people.
Four of the passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while the fifth was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Another individual in the pileup later died from their injuries.
The Chain Reaction and Aftermath
Following the crash into the F-150, Gonzalez-Companioni’s truck continued on its destructive path, crashing into two more 18-wheelers. The force of the impact caused one of the trucks to jackknife, striking several other passenger vehicles.
The scene was described as chaotic and “horrific” by emergency responders. A Jeep Compass, Ford Mustang, and Honda sedan were also involved in the crash.
Local residents were shaken by the crash, with some coming to a nearby RV resort to call the police and calm their nerves. Buddha Wyrick, a property manager at the resort, shared that witnesses were visibly traumatized, recounting their experiences of the crash.
“They were upset and traumatized,” Wyrick said. “They were like, ‘We’re the fourth car back,’ or ‘The second car back.’ And they were telling me stories.”
A Mass Casualty Event
The crash was declared a “mass casualty” event by officials from the Terrell Volunteer Fire Department, and emergency crews quickly shut down traffic in both directions. First responders worked tirelessly to treat the injured, though the exact number of people who were hurt remains unclear.
The severity of the crash left a lasting image on witnesses and first responders. According to Bradford, one of the 18-wheelers involved had its entire back end torn off, while another had its cab completely destroyed.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been released as authorities are awaiting notification of their next of kin.
The deadly crash on I-20 has devastated families and the local community. Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni’s alleged actions have led to the loss of five lives, with many more affected by the traumatic aftermath of the incident.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are expected to release more updates as they work to identify the victims and determine the full extent of the crash.
