News & Legal

Wooley Law Takeaway

Dallas County has topped the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area in fatal road crashes, according to CW33 reporting on regional crash trends. The report highlights what many North Texas drivers already know: Dallas County roads can be dangerous, especially on major highways, busy intersections, and high-speed commuter corridors. Fatal crashes leave families facing sudden grief, funeral expenses, lost income, and unanswered questions. Each deadly wreck deserves a careful investigation into what happened, whether negligence played a role, and whether the crash could have been prevented. Dallas County fatal crashes may involve speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, red-light violations, pedestrian collisions, motorcycle wrecks, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicles, and multi-car pileups. Dangerous corridors may include I-35E, I-30, I-20, I-635, U.S. 75, Loop 12, and other heavily traveled roads across Dallas, Garland, Irving, Mesquite, Richardson, Farmers Branch, and surrounding cities. Wooley Law Firm has handled serious car accident, 18-wheeler crash, pedestrian injury, motorcycle accident, and wrongful death cases across Dallas-Fort Worth and throughout Texas. We know how quickly evidence can disappear, including crash reports, witness statements, dash camera footage, traffic camera information, black box data, cell phone records, vehicle damage, and company safety records. If your loved one was killed in a Dallas County car accident, Dallas fatal crash, 18-wheeler wreck, pedestrian collision, motorcycle accident, or Texas wrongful death case, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, mental anguish, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Wooley Law Takeaway

A major collision involving an 18-wheeler was reported on southbound I-35 near Loop 288 in Denton, Texas, around 10:12 a.m. on June 26, 2026. The crash reportedly closed both southbound lanes while crews responded to the scene. 18-wheeler crashes on I-35 in Denton can be especially dangerous because of heavy traffic, commercial vehicles, merging drivers, sudden slowdowns, and limited room to avoid disabled vehicles. When both lanes are closed, traffic can back up quickly and create a serious risk of secondary crashes. A Denton 18-wheeler crash should be investigated quickly and aggressively. Key evidence may include the crash report, witness statements, dash camera footage, TxDOT camera information, driver logs, black box data, inspection records, maintenance records, cell phone records, and trucking company safety documents. Wooley Law Firm has handled catastrophic 18-wheeler crash, commercial vehicle, multi-vehicle accident, and wrongful death cases across Dallas-Fort Worth and throughout Texas. We know how quickly trucking evidence can disappear, and we move fast to preserve proof, identify responsible parties, and fight for injured Texans. If you were injured in a Denton 18-wheeler accident, I-35 truck crash, Loop 288 wreck, commercial vehicle collision, or serious Texas highway crash, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, mental anguish, impairment, vehicle damage, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Wooley Law Takeaway

A truck driver has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in connection with a catastrophic Interstate 20 crash near Terrell that killed five people and seriously injured another. The deadly collision happened on June 28, 2025, on I-20 in Kaufman County. According to previously reported information from Texas DPS, the 18-wheeler driver fell asleep while driving and struck traffic ahead, triggering a massive chain-reaction crash involving multiple tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles. The Wooley Law Firm previously reported on the criminal proceedings and circumstances surrounding the wreck. Read our earlier coverage of the fatal Kaufman County I-20 truck crash and guilty plea. The criminal sentence provides one form of accountability, but catastrophic commercial truck crashes can also raise separate questions about driver fatigue, trucking-company safety practices, supervision, scheduling, electronic logging records, and whether additional companies or individuals contributed to a preventable tragedy. Five People Killed in the Kaufman County I-20 Truck Crash The crash began when an 18-wheeler struck a Ford F-150 carrying five people, according to previously reported crash information. The collision developed into a multi-vehicle pileup involving additional 18-wheelers and passenger vehicles. Four members of the McKellar family — Billy McKellar, Zabar McKellar, Krishaun McKellar, and 16-year-old Kason McKellar — were killed. Another occupant of the pickup survived with catastrophic injuries. Nicole Gregory was also killed after another tractor-trailer involved in the collision jackknifed and struck her Jeep. The loss suffered by these families is devastating. A criminal prosecution can punish unlawful conduct, but it does not replace the need to determine every safety failure and responsible party that may have contributed to a deadly commercial truck collision. Driver Fatigue Can Turn an 18-Wheeler Into a Deadly Hazard Truck-driver fatigue is one of the most serious issues that can arise in a commercial vehicle investigation. An 18-wheeler traveling at highway speed can cover a substantial distance in only seconds. If a commercial driver falls asleep or becomes too fatigued to recognize slowing or stopped traffic, there may be little or no meaningful braking before impact. After a serious fatigue-related truck accident, investigators may examine evidence including: Electronic logging device records Hours-of-service information Driver duty-status records Dispatch communications GPS and trip data Fuel and toll records Dashcam footage Engine control module or electronic vehicle data Driver qualification records Hiring and training files Prior safety violations Company fatigue-management policies Delivery schedules and dispatch expectations This type of evidence can help determine not only what the driver did in the moments before impact, but also whether a motor carrier's practices contributed to unsafe driving conditions. Why the Trucking Company's Conduct May Matter A serious 18-wheeler wreck should not always be viewed as simply a case against the individual driver. Depending on the facts, a trucking company may have responsibilities involving driver qualification, supervision, training, hours-of-service compliance, maintenance, dispatch practices, and enforcement of safety policies. A civil investigation may examine whether the motor carrier knew or should have known about a safety problem and whether reasonable steps were taken to prevent a foreseeable crash. Potentially responsible parties in a commercial truck collision can include: The truck driver The motor carrier An employer The owner of the tractor or trailer A maintenance contractor A loading company A shipper Another commercial entity Other motorists whose actions contributed to the wreck The existence of a criminal conviction against one driver does not necessarily establish or eliminate potential civil liability involving other parties. The Wooley Law Firm explains these issues further in its Dallas 18-wheeler accident lawyer resource, including the types of evidence commonly involved in serious commercial truck cases. A 20-Year Prison Sentence Does Not Resolve Every Civil Claim Criminal and civil cases serve different purposes. A criminal prosecution determines whether a defendant committed a criminal offense and what punishment should follow. A wrongful-death or personal-injury claim instead focuses on compensating victims and surviving family members for legally recoverable losses caused by wrongful conduct. That means a criminal plea or prison sentence does not necessarily resolve questions such as: Which companies may share responsibility What insurance coverage is available Whether trucking safety regulations were violated Whether the carrier negligently hired or supervised the driver Whether unsafe scheduling or dispatch practices contributed Whether additional negligent parties were involved What damages surviving family members may pursue A thorough truck-wreck investigation should follow the evidence rather than stop with the criminal case. Evidence Can Disappear Quickly After a Fatal Truck Crash Commercial trucking cases frequently involve evidence controlled by companies rather than injured motorists or their families. Electronic logs may be overwritten or lost. Dashcam video may not be preserved indefinitely. Trucks can be repaired and returned to service. Electronic vehicle data may become unavailable. Employees and witnesses may become harder to locate. Important evidence may include: Electronic logging devices Tractor and trailer inspection records Maintenance history Engine control module data Dashcam footage GPS records Driver qualification files Driver employment history Drug and alcohol testing records when relevant Dispatch records Bills of lading Shipping documents Company communications Cell-phone records when legally appropriate Photographs of the vehicles and crash scene Preserving evidence early can therefore become an important part of investigating a catastrophic 18-wheeler collision. Wrongful Death After a Fatal Kaufman County Truck Accident Texas law may allow certain surviving family members to bring a wrongful-death claim when a person's death is caused by another person's or company's wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default. Depending on the facts, recoverable damages may include losses related to financial support, companionship, mental anguish, and other damages recognized under Texas law. A separate survival claim may also involve damages the person sustained between the time of injury and death, depending on the circumstances. Every wrongful-death case is different, and available claims depend on the evidence, the parties involved, insurance coverage, and Texas law. Injured or Lost a Loved One in an 18-Wheeler Crash? A truck accident involving driver fatigue, a highway pileup, or multiple commercial vehicles can leave families facing devastating injuries, medical bills, lost income, funeral expenses, and unanswered questions about why the crash happened. If you were seriously injured or lost a family member in a Kaufman County truck accident, Terrell 18-wheeler crash, I-20 collision, driver-fatigue wreck, multiple-truck pileup, or fatal commercial vehicle accident, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, impairment, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, lost financial support, and other damages available under Texas law. The Wooley Law Firm represents victims of serious truck wrecks and families affected by fatal commercial vehicle crashes throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and across Texas. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win. This article is based on publicly reported information concerning the crash, investigation, guilty plea, and sentencing. It is intended for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different.

Wooley Law Takeaway

A child was killed and three others were hospitalized after a devastating Fort Worth house fire on McCart Avenue, according to WFAA. The fire happened early Thursday morning, June 25, 2026, in the 4200 block of McCart Avenue. Fort Worth Fire officials said crews arrived within minutes and found flames coming from the home. Firefighters rescued four people from inside. Two children were flown to hospitals, another child was transported by ambulance, and one child tragically died. This is a heartbreaking loss for the family and community. When a child dies and other children are injured in a house fire, the investigation must be handled with compassion, but it also must be aggressive. Families deserve answers about how the fire started, whether smoke alarms worked, and whether unsafe conditions could have been prevented. A fatal Fort Worth fire investigation may involve electrical systems, heating equipment, appliances, smoke detectors, landlord maintenance, code violations, prior complaints, product defects, and fire department findings. Critical evidence can disappear quickly after a fire scene is cleared or repaired. Wooley Law Firm has handled serious fire injury, child injury, burn injury, premises liability, and wrongful death cases across Dallas-Fort Worth and throughout Texas. We move quickly to preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, and fight for families seeking justice. If your loved one was killed or injured in a Fort Worth house fire, McCart Avenue fire, rental home fire, apartment fire, or fatal Texas fire, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, impairment, loss of companionship, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Wooley Law Takeaway

A six-car collision closed all southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 75 at Spring Valley Road in Richardson on Thursday morning, according to The Dallas Morning News. The crash happened around 6:40 a.m. on June 25, 2026, during the morning commute. Emergency crews responded to the scene, and traffic was forced to use the far right shoulder to reach the exit. Richardson police later said the crash involved six vehicles, four of which were towed from the scene. No injuries were reported, and all southbound lanes reopened by about 8:13 a.m. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Even when a multi-car collision does not cause immediate reported injuries, drivers should take these crashes seriously. Pain, soreness, concussions, neck injuries, back injuries, and other symptoms can appear hours or days later. A six-vehicle crash on North Central Expressway also raises questions about speed, following distance, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, and sudden traffic slowdowns. Wooley Law Firm has handled serious car accident, multi-vehicle crash, commercial vehicle, and wrongful death cases across Dallas-Fort Worth and throughout Texas. We know how quickly evidence can disappear, including crash reports, witness statements, dash camera footage, vehicle damage, cell phone records, and nearby surveillance video. If you were injured in a Richardson car accident, U.S. 75 crash, Spring Valley Road wreck, North Central Expressway collision, or multi-vehicle accident, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, mental anguish, impairment, vehicle damage, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Wooley Law Takeaway

A truck driver has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to 20 years in prison after a deadly I-20 pileup in Kaufman County, according to WFAA. The crash happened on June 28, 2025, near Terrell and killed five people. Earlier reports said the crash involved seven vehicles, including three 18-wheelers, after traffic had backed up from a previous crash. The case devastated multiple families and left survivors and loved ones searching for answers. At sentencing, the families of the victims had the opportunity to confront the truck driver in court. For many grieving families, that moment can be painful, emotional, and important. It gives them a chance to speak directly about the lives that were lost, the harm that can never be undone, and the lasting impact of a preventable 18-wheeler crash. A guilty plea may close the criminal case, but it does not always answer every civil accountability question. Fatal truck crashes must still be investigated aggressively to determine whether driver fatigue, hours-of-service violations, company pressure, unsafe scheduling, poor training, maintenance issues, or trucking company safety failures contributed to the wreck. Critical evidence may include driver logs, black box data, dash camera footage, dispatch records, maintenance files, inspection reports, cell phone records, company safety policies, and prior violations. Wooley Law Firm has handled catastrophic 18-wheeler crash, commercial vehicle, multi-vehicle pileup, and wrongful death cases across Dallas-Fort Worth and throughout Texas. We move quickly to preserve evidence, identify every responsible party, and fight for families seeking justice. If your loved one was killed in a Kaufman County truck accident, I-20 crash, Terrell 18-wheeler wreck, multi-vehicle pileup, or fatal Texas commercial vehicle collision, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, mental anguish, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Wooley Law Takeaway

A truck driver has pleaded guilty after a deadly I-20 crash in Kaufman County killed five people and injured four others, according to NBCDFW. The crash happened on June 28, 2025, near Elmo and involved a tractor-trailer that struck stopped traffic, causing a seven-vehicle pileup. NBCDFW reported that Alexis Osmani Gonzalez Companioni admitted he fell asleep behind the wheel before the crash. He pleaded guilty to nine felony charges, including five counts of manslaughter and four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. This was a devastating tragedy for the families who lost loved ones and for the people who survived with injuries. A guilty plea may close the criminal case, but it does not answer every question about trucking safety, company responsibility, fatigue, scheduling, maintenance, training, supervision, and whether this crash could have been prevented. Why This Matters Deadly 18-wheeler crashes demand an aggressive civil investigation. Critical evidence may include driver logs, hours-of-service records, black box data, dash camera footage, dispatch records, maintenance files, inspection reports, cell phone records, company safety policies, and prior safety violations. Wooley Law Firm has handled catastrophic 18-wheeler crash, commercial vehicle, multi-vehicle pileup, and wrongful death cases across Dallas-Fort Worth and throughout Texas. We move quickly to preserve evidence, identify every responsible party, and fight for families seeking justice. How Wooley Law Can Help If your loved one was killed in a Kaufman County truck accident, I-20 crash, Elmo 18-wheeler wreck, Terrell-area pileup, or fatal Texas commercial vehicle collision, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, mental anguish, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Wooley Law Takeaway

A truck driver involved in a deadly Kaufman County 18-wheeler crash has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to 20 years in prison, according to CBS Texas. The crash happened on Interstate 20 in June 2025 and killed five people. This was a devastating tragedy for the families who lost loved ones. A criminal sentence may bring one part of the case to a close, but families may still deserve answers about every safety failure, company decision, and preventable act that contributed to the crash. Why This Matters Fatal 18-wheeler crashes demand an aggressive investigation. Key evidence may include driver logs, hours-of-service records, black box data, dash camera video, dispatch records, maintenance records, inspection reports, company safety policies, cell phone records, and witness statements. Wooley Law Firm has handled catastrophic 18-wheeler crash, commercial vehicle, multi-vehicle pileup, and wrongful death cases across Dallas-Fort Worth and throughout Texas. We know how quickly trucking companies and insurers move after a fatal wreck, and we move quickly to preserve evidence, identify every responsible party, and fight for families seeking justice. How Wooley Law Can Help If your loved one was killed in a Kaufman County truck accident, I-20 crash, Terrell 18-wheeler wreck, multi-vehicle pileup, or fatal Texas commercial vehicle collision, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, mental anguish, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Wooley Law Takeaway

A child was killed and several others were hurt after a devastating house fire in southwest Fort Worth, according to NBCDFW. The fire happened early Thursday morning in the 4200 block of McCart Avenue. Fort Worth Fire officials said crews were called just before 3:00 a.m. and arrived within minutes to find flames coming from the front and sides of the home. Firefighters pulled four people from the house. A school-aged child was confirmed dead, two other children were taken by helicopter to the hospital, and another child was transported by ambulance. This is a heartbreaking tragedy involving children and a grieving family. When a child dies in a house fire, the family deserves compassion, answers, and a complete investigation into how the fire started and whether it could have been prevented. A fatal Fort Worth house fire should be investigated carefully. Key questions may include whether smoke alarms were working, whether the home had electrical hazards, whether heating equipment, appliances, wiring, landlord maintenance issues, unsafe conditions, or product defects played a role, and whether anyone failed to fix known dangers. Wooley Law Firm has handled serious injury, fire injury, child injury, and wrongful death cases across Dallas-Fort Worth and throughout Texas. We know how quickly evidence can disappear after a fire, including scene evidence, inspection records, maintenance documents, photographs, witness statements, and fire investigation findings. If your loved one was killed or injured in a Fort Worth house fire, McCart Avenue fire, apartment fire, rental home fire, or fatal Texas fire, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, impairment, loss of companionship, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Wooley Law Takeaway

A collision was reported on northbound Interstate 35E at FM 3040, also known as Round Grove Road, in Lewisville, Texas, around 8:30 a.m. on June 25, 2026. The crash reportedly closed the left two lanes during the morning commute. Crashes on I-35E in Lewisville can be dangerous because of heavy commuter traffic, commercial vehicles, merging drivers, sudden slowdowns, and limited room to avoid disabled vehicles. When multiple lanes close, the risk of rear-end collisions, sideswipe wrecks, and multi-vehicle crashes can increase quickly. A serious Lewisville crash should be investigated quickly. Key evidence may include the crash report, witness statements, dash camera footage, TxDOT camera information, nearby surveillance video, vehicle damage, cell phone records, medical records, and photos or videos from the scene. Wooley Law Firm has handled serious car accident, 18-wheeler crash, commercial vehicle, and wrongful death cases across Dallas-Fort Worth and throughout Texas. We know how quickly evidence can disappear, and we move fast to preserve proof, identify responsible parties, and fight for injured Texans. If you were injured in a Lewisville car accident, I-35E crash, FM 3040 wreck, Round Grove Road collision, commercial vehicle crash, or multiple-vehicle accident, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, mental anguish, impairment, vehicle damage, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Wooley Law Takeaway

A Fort Worth woman was identified as one of six people killed in a devastating Hill County crash, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. DPS said the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. on June 20, 2026, on State Highway 171 near FM 3155, between Bynum and Malone. Authorities reported that a northbound Nissan attempted to pass another vehicle and collided with a Ford van. Both vehicles caught fire after the collision. The victims in the Ford van were identified as Amanda Fowler, 37, Sarah Johnson, 59, an 8-year-old boy, and a 7-year-old girl, all from Hillsboro. A 10-year-old boy in the van survived and was hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening. The two people in the Nissan were identified as Sallie Evans Benson, 67, of Fort Worth, and Marvin Evans, 50, of Fort Collins, Colorado. This is an unimaginable tragedy for every family affected. When a crash kills multiple people, including children, the investigation must be handled with compassion, but it must also be aggressive. Families deserve answers about why the crash happened and whether it could have been prevented. Why This Matters Fatal head-on crashes often raise serious questions about unsafe passing, speed, visibility, distraction, roadway conditions, driver judgment, and failure to keep others safe. Critical evidence may include the DPS crash report, witness statements, roadway markings, vehicle damage, event data recorder information, cell phone records, toxicology results, dash camera footage, and crash reconstruction findings. Wooley Law Firm has handled serious car accident, fatal highway crash, child injury, and wrongful death cases across Texas. We know how quickly critical evidence can disappear, and we move fast to preserve proof, identify responsible parties, and fight for families seeking justice. How Wooley Law Can Help If your loved one was killed in a Hill County crash, State Highway 171 wreck, unsafe passing collision, head-on crash, or fatal Texas highway accident, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, mental anguish, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

Wooley Law Takeaway

Two people were killed after a fiery 18-wheeler crash in Panola County, according to KLTV. The crash happened around 4:20 a.m. on June 25, 2026, on U.S. Highway 79 at FM 31 in the DeBerry area. DPS identified the driver as Roy Allen Joshlin Jr., 57, and the passenger as Timothy Wayne Snider, 66. Officials said the 18-wheeler was traveling south on U.S. 79 when it entered the northbound lane, struck a tree, and caught fire. Both men died at the scene. No other vehicles were involved. This is a heartbreaking loss for the families of both men. Even in a single-vehicle 18-wheeler crash, families deserve answers about what happened and whether the tragedy could have been prevented. A fatal Panola County truck crash should be investigated aggressively. Key questions may involve driver fatigue, medical issues, speed, road conditions, tire failure, braking systems, steering components, truck maintenance, cargo issues, company safety policies, and whether the truck was safe to be on the road. Wooley Law Firm has handled catastrophic 18-wheeler, commercial vehicle, highway fire, and wrongful death cases across Texas. We know how quickly critical trucking evidence can disappear, including driver logs, maintenance records, inspection reports, black box data, dash camera footage, dispatch records, and company safety documents. If your loved one was killed in a Panola County truck accident, U.S. 79 crash, DeBerry 18-wheeler wreck, fiery commercial vehicle crash, or fatal Texas highway accident, you may have the right to seek justice and pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, mental anguish, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.