Around 1:20 a.m. on July 26, a wrong-way crash occurred on Interstate 20 near mile marker 129 in Midland, Texas. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a 2004 Ford F-150 was allegedly traveling east in the inside westbound lane when it collided head-on with a 2025 Toyota Sienna traveling in the correct direction. Both drivers, 34-year-old Henry Anthony Vela and 78-year-old William Randolph Smith, were pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the Toyota, 52-year-old Diana Marquez, was hospitalized in serious condition. Authorities are continuing their investigation.
When I see a report like this, one of the first questions I ask is how and why a vehicle ended up traveling the wrong way on the interstate. In some cases, it's due to impairment or confusion. Due to the time that this accident happened, that will likely be a focus of the investigation.
Could Driver Distraction or Fatigue Have Been a Factor?
Wrong-way crashes are often linked to serious driver error, and one question investigators will likely explore is whether distraction or fatigue played a role in this incident. The crash happened shortly after 1 a.m.—a time when many drivers experience decreased alertness. If the driver of the Ford F-150 was drowsy or inattentive, it could explain how they ended up traveling the wrong direction on the interstate. Investigators may need to look into whether they had been driving for an extended period or had any known health or sleep issues that could have affected their alertness behind the wheel.
What Evidence Needs to Be Reviewed?
To understand this crash, it will be important to examine the Ford’s Engine Control Module (ECM) data, any available dash camera footage, and whether the vehicle’s lighting systems were functioning properly. In addition, roadway surveillance or traffic camera footage may shed light on how long the vehicle was traveling the wrong way and whether the driver was potentially distracted.
Why a Complete Investigation Matters
Crashes involving wrong-way drivers often raise assumptions about fault, but I’ve seen firsthand that not every case is as straightforward as it seems. A complete investigation can determine whether driver confusion, impairment, or some other issue was to blame. It is the best way to determine exactly what happened and why.