A tragic chain-reaction crash on I-20 near Wills Point left five people dead on Saturday night, June 28, after the driver of an 18-wheeler reportedly fell asleep at the wheel and failed to slow for traffic.
According to officials, the westbound big rig slammed into two other 18-wheelers and four passenger vehicles, including a Ford F-150 carrying four individuals who died at the scene. One of the impacted semis jack-knifed, striking two more vehicles, including a Jeep Compass.
Two additional people were critically injured in the crash. One of them, a person inside the Jeep Compass, later died at a hospital.
The driver of the 18-wheeler, 27-year-old Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni, was arrested by Texas DPS Troopers and booked into the Kaufman County Jail. He faces five counts of Manslaughter and one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. His bond has been set at $1.5 million.
A total of 4 ambulances, 2 helicopters, and an EMS supervisor ultimately responded to care for the patients. Due to the severity of the crash and the location of debris, I-20 was closed in both directions by TxDOT, DPS, Kaufman Sheriff's Office, and Van Zandt Co/Wills Point personnel. College Mound Fire Department also responded with personnel and their rehab unit.
The names of the victims have not yet been released.
