Authorities in Texas have confirmed the arrest of a man in connection with a devastating multi-vehicle crash that claimed five lives and left several others injured near Terrell on Saturday afternoon. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that 27-year-old Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni has been taken into custody and is now facing multiple charges, including five counts of manslaughter.
The tragic collision occurred around 2:40 p.m. on Saturday along Interstate 20 near Hiram Road, just outside of Terrell. According to preliminary findings by Texas DPS, Gonzalez-Companioni was driving an 18-wheeler when he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, failing to notice traffic that had stalled ahead of him. As a result, his semi-truck plowed directly into a Ford F-150 pickup truck carrying five passengers.
The impact of the crash proved to be catastrophic. The force of the collision caused the F-150 to be crushed under the weight of the 18-wheeler, killing four of its five occupants instantly, while the fifth was airlifted in critical condition to a nearby hospital. Their identities have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
But the devastation didn’t end there. The 18-wheeler Gonzalez-Companioni was driving continued forward, striking two additional 18-wheelers. The secondary impact caused one of those semi-trucks to jack-knife, resulting in a chain-reaction crash that involved three more vehicles — a Jeep Compass, a Ford Mustang, and a Honda passenger car. One person inside the Jeep Compass was also killed at the scene, bringing the death toll to five.
Emergency crews from the Terrell Volunteer Fire Department responded quickly and described the scene as “horrific.” The department declared it a “mass casualty” event, a rare and somber classification reserved for incidents involving multiple severe injuries and fatalities. Responders worked urgently to treat the wounded, secure the area, and begin what is expected to be a lengthy and detailed investigation.
Traffic on I-20 in both directions was shut down for hours as emergency crews worked tirelessly to manage the aftermath. The Texas DPS is leading the investigation, with assistance from local law enforcement agencies and accident reconstruction specialists.
Gonzalez-Companioni was taken into custody at the scene and later booked into the Kaufman County Jail, where he remains. Authorities stated that additional charges could be filed depending on the outcome of the investigation.
As of now, investigators believe fatigue played a primary role in the crash. The incident has renewed calls for awareness around truck driver safety, particularly the dangers of drowsy driving. The tragic accident has left a deep impact on the Terrell community and surrounding areas, who now mourn the lives lost in what was an entirely preventable event.
