Overview:
A tragic crash on I-20 near Terrell, Texas, claimed six lives, and the community is calling for stricter enforcement of trucking rest regulations, surprise inspections of electronic logging devices, clearer signage, digital speed alerts, and fatigue warning systems. The driver of the truck, Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni, admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, but the community demands answers about the systemic pressure and negligence of the trucking company. The investigation is ongoing, and court dates for Gonzalez-Companioni will soon follow.
TERRELL- What do you say when six people lose their lives in a moment?
On a stretch of I-20 just outside of Terrell, Texas, a normal Saturday became a scene of unspeakable tragedy. A Ford F-150 carrying five people sat still in traffic-when an 18-wheeler, driven by 27-year-old Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni, failed to stop and plowed straight through.
Texas DPS says Gonzalez-Companioni admitted he fell asleep at the wheel. That truck struck the F-150 with such force that four passengers died on impact. A fifth was airlifted to a Dallas hospital and later died from their injuries. A sixth victim, in a separate vehicle, was also killed when the force of the crash triggered a chain reaction involving two more semi-trucks and several cars.
On June 28, 2025, six lives were lost. Families were devastated. And a community was left reeling.
A Crash Too Familiar, A Grief Too Deep
Residents at a nearby RV resort said they heard the impact from inside their homes. Witnesses ran toward the wreckage, only to find what they described as a -mass casualty event.
One bystander recalled: “[There was a] big, big boom – I knew he killed everybody in that truck.”
The wreckage stretched for hundreds of feet. Sirens wailed as responders from Terrell, Elmo, College Mound, and Van Zandt County arrived at the scene. Traffic on I-20 was frozen for hours in both directions.
In the Texas heat, stranded drivers were left without water or restrooms, some reportedly in distress.
Manslaughter Charges, But More Questions Than Answers
Gonzalez-Companioni now sits in the Kaufman County Jail, charged with six counts of manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond is set at $1.5 million. DPS confirms he told investigators he fell asleep at the wheel.
But that admission raises more questions than it answers.
- Was Gonzalez-Companioni under the influence of alcohol or another substance?
- Or perhaps was he distracted, texting, or using his phone?
- Was this truly a moment of fatigue by Gonzalez-Companioni, or a result of systemic pressure and negligence from the trucking company?
Right now, toxicology results are pending. Investigators are analyzing the truck-s electronic logging device (ELD) to see how long Gonzalez-Companioni had been driving-and whether he was following federally mandated rest periods. That data, along with the truck’s speed and braking logs, could provide critical insight to the incident.
Regardless, the excuse “I fell asleep” cannot be where this conversation ends. An admission of guilt does not equate to closure. Accountability must be taken for the lives lost in this tragedy.
Who Were the Victims?
As of this publication, five of the six victims- names have not been publicly released. But let this be clear: the victims of this incident should not be remembered as statistics. They were parents, siblings, coworkers, and neighbors. They were people with birthdays and anniversaries coming up.
All six of these victims were people who should’ve made it home on Saturday.
When those names are released, we’ll say them-out loud, in print, and with respect. Until then, we grieve in their honor.
The Elmo FD, first to respond to the crash, shared their condolences with NBC5 DFW:
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and those affected by yesterday’s horrific accident.”
A Systemic Failure?
Given the presentation of new evidence in days to come, we may see a shift in the details of this story. For example, maybe this isn’t just about one driver. If Gonzalez-Companioni was pushed past his limit-by a company ignoring rest regulations or by a culture that values speed over safety-then that blame spreads.
In some cases, truckers can carry perishable food in their shipments. Late delivery then means spoilage and a loss of profits for all involved. An increase of drivers being told to “Drive tired or get fired” may be to blame for incidents such as these.
It’s evident that truckers work hard. Most do it right. But when corners are cut, the results are deadly. And it’s the innocent who pay the price.
This stretch of I-20 near Terrell has seen its share of tragedy. But six lives lost in one crash is a new depth of horror. The magnitude of this accident should spark a demand for change.
The Community Responds
The communities of Terrell and Kaufman are grieving—and demanding change.
In the wake of the tragic June 28 crash on I-20 that claimed six lives, residents are calling for urgent action: stricter enforcement of trucking rest regulations, surprise inspections of electronic logging devices at weigh stations, and critical safety upgrades along the highway—like clearer signage, digital speed alerts, and fatigue warning systems.
Their demands aren’t extravagant. They’re not asking for luxury—they’re asking for lifelines.
What Happens Now
As reporters and neighbors, Dallas Weekly is watching this case closely. The DPS investigation is still ongoing. Court dates for Gonzalez-Companioni will soon follow. Public records requests for logbooks and crash data will soon be filed.
But in the meantime, we remember the families who have lost their loved ones. We stay present in our grief. And we speak truth to a system that far too often waits for tragedy before it acts.
Because if this doesn’t lead to change, we risk telling this same story again. Worst of all, we lose more lives we shouldn’t have to.
For Inquiries Contact:
Judah Agbonkhina | judah@dallasweekly.com