Trucker Kills Five on Interstate
A fatal accident occurred on Interstate 20 in Texas on Saturday, when a truck driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel of his 18-wheeler, resulting in a pileup involving two other semi-trucks and three cars. The tragic incident claimed five lives, according to officials.
The driver, 27-year-old Alexis Osmani Gonzalez‑Companioni, is currently facing charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as per the Texas Department of Safety. Gonzalez‑Companioni is being held on a $1.5 million bond. Texas DPS Sgt. Kyle Bradford confirmed that the driver admitted to falling asleep while driving, although further investigations are ongoing.
The incident occurred in Kaufman County, where Gonzalez‑Companioni was driving west on I-20. Traffic had come to a halt near the Hiram Road bridge when the driver reportedly plowed into the stationary vehicles. Eyewitnesses described the impact as a “big boom.”
Among the vehicles hit was a Ford F-150 carrying five people. Four of the occupants were declared dead at the scene, while the fifth was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Another fatality occurred in the ensuing pileup.
Following the initial collision, Gonzalez-Companioni’s truck is said to have veered into two other 18-wheelers, causing one to jackknife and hit four other passenger vehicles. The aftermath of the crash left other drivers on the road visibly shaken, with some seeking refuge at a nearby RV resort to call the police and calm their nerves.
Emergency services described the scene as “horrific,” declaring it a “mass casualty” event. Traffic was halted in both directions as first responders attended to the injured. Among the vehicles involved were a Jeep Compass, Ford Mustang, and a Honda passenger vehicle. The fifth fatality was a passenger in the Compass.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld until their next of kin are notified, according to Sgt. Bradford. Further updates on the incident are expected to be released on Monday afternoon.
