Truck driver in 18-wheeler crash on I-20 faces 5 manslaughter charges
5 killed after 18-wheeler driver falls asleep, DPS
Texas DPS says a fifth person has been pronounced dead after a multi-vehicle crash in Kaufman County over the weekend. Texas DPS says the driver of an 18-wheeler fell asleep behind the wheel while on I-20, causing the crash. EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story said 6 people were killed in Saturday’s crash based on information from Texas DPS. DPS later corrected its information to say 5 were killed.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has confirmed a fifth person has died following the deadly crash on I-20 in Kaufman County over the weekend.
The driver of an 18-wheeler is now charged with five counts of manslaughter.
What we know:
Investigators say the driver, Alexis Gonzalez-Companioni, admitted to falling asleep at the wheel before the crash happened.
Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni
So far, investigators have only said he fell asleep and have not provided more context on whether he violated the mandatory break time truck drivers have to take while taking their routes.
DPS also tells FOX 4 that toxicology test results are still pending.
The backstory:
The crash happened on Saturday afternoon.
A total of three 18-wheelers and four passenger cars were involved in the crash.
Investigators say Gonzalez-Companioni crashed into multiple vehicles, including two other big rig trucks.
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5 killed in I-20 crash after 18-wheeler driver falls asleep, Texas DPS says
At least five people are dead and others are hurt after a crash on I-20 near Terrell on Saturday afternoon after the driver of an 18-wheeler fell asleep behind the wheel, according to Texas DPS.
There were five passengers in a Ford F-150 and four of them died.
The fifth passenger was airlifted to the hospital. As we found out a few hours ago.
A passenger in a Jeep was also killed.
DPS told FOX 4’s Steven Dial that all the victims live in the DFW area.
What we don't know:
The names of the victims in the crash have not yet been revealed.
FOX 4 reached out to the business associated with the 18-wheeler that Gonzalez-Companioni was driving and has yet to hear a response.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
A previous version of this story said six people were killed in Saturday’s crash based on information from Texas DPS. DPS later corrected its information to say 5 were killed.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety.