A devastating multi-vehicle crash occurred on Saturday, June 28, 2025, on Interstate 20 near Terrell, Texas, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to several others. The incident, described as a “mass casualty” event, involved three 18-wheelers and four passenger vehicles, leading to a complete shutdown of the highway for several hours. (fox4news.com)
Incident Overview
The crash occurred around 2:40 p.m. in the westbound lanes I-20, just east of Hiram Road. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), 27-year-old Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni, the driver of a red 18-wheeler, fell asleep at the wheel and failed to notice stopped traffic ahead. His truck struck a Ford F-150 carrying five passengers, pushing it into two other 18-wheelers. One of these trucks jack-knifed and collided with a Jeep Compass, a Ford Mustang, and a Honda sedan.
Casualties and Injuries
The crash resulted in the deaths of five individuals: four occupants of the Ford F-150 and one person in the Jeep Compass. The remaining passenger in the F-150 was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. Several others sustained injuries of varying severity.
Legal Actions
Gonzalez-Companioni was arrested and charged with five counts of manslaughter and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently held in Kaufman County Jail on a $1.5 million bond.
Community Impact
Local residents expressed shock and grief over the incident. A nearby resident, Shelly Timms described hearing a “big boom” and seeing emergency helicopters shortly after the crash. Corinne Mulcahy, who witnessed the event, recounted seeing the approaching truck and fearing the worst for the F-150’s occupants. (ktxs.com)
The Terrell Volunteer Fire Department declared the situation a “mass casualty” event, and emergency crews worked diligently to assist the injured and manage the scene. I-20 was closed for several hours, with all lanes reopening around 9:24 p.m.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of driver fatigue and the importance of road safety.
