Five Lives Lost in Tragic Multi-Vehicle Crash on I-20 Near Terrell

A devastating accident on Interstate 20 near Terrell, Texas, claimed the lives of five people and left several others injured on Saturday afternoon in a crash involving three 18-wheelers and four passenger vehicles. The incident brought traffic to a standstill for hours and prompted an emergency response from multiple agencies.

The Elmo Fire Department responded to the scene at approximately 2:40 p.m., following reports of a severe collision on westbound I-20, just east of Hiram Road. According to early findings from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the crash was triggered when the driver of a red truck-tractor reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to slam into a Ford F-150 that was carrying five passengers.

The violent impact pushed the F-150 into two nearby 18-wheelers, one of which jackknifed, leading to a cascading chain of collisions. Among the additional vehicles struck were a Jeep Compass, a Ford Mustang, and a Honda passenger car, all caught in the chaos caused by the truck’s loss of control.

Emergency responders found five people deceased at the scene. One individual was listed in critical condition, while several others sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate. All injured victims were transported to Dallas-area hospitals for treatment.

Due to the magnitude of the wreckage and the need for cleanup and investigation, both lanes of I-20 were shut down for several hours. Authorities worked into the evening to clear the scene and gather evidence. The highway was fully reopened shortly after 10 p.m., restoring traffic flow after a day marked by tragedy.

The DPS confirmed that the investigation is ongoing as they work to determine all contributing factors to the crash. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driver fatigue, especially on high-speed highways where even a momentary lapse can have fatal consequences.