Basic Facts

Crash date: May 29, 2026

Crash location: 1100 block of North Fairgrounds Road in Midland, TX

People involved:

  • William Smedley, 47
  • Unidentified Hyundai driver, 19

Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash? Yes

Did authorities recommend criminal charges? Yes

Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash? Unknown

Accident Report

Midland, TX — May 29, 2026, William Smedley was killed in an alleged drunk driver accident at about 11:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of North Fairgrounds Road.

Authorities said a 2021 Ducati motorcycle was heading south when it was hit by a northbound 2013 Hyundai Elantra that was driving without its headlights.

Motorcyclist Willam Smedley, 47, of Odessa died after being transported to a nearby hospital, according to authorities.

The Hyundai driver, a 19-year-old man, was not injured in the crash, authorities said. He has been charged with intoxication manslaughter in the Midland County crash.

How Did This Accident Occur?

A wrong-way crash like this usually includes an indication that alcohol was involved, as in this instance. In my experience, that means investigators should extend their scrutiny beyond the scene of the accident. Someone should look into where the Hyundai driver has been drinking before this crash.

That matters because under Texas law, alcohol providers can share responsibility for injuries caused when a patron decides to get behind the wheel. If this driver was drinking at a bar or restaurant, that establishment could be accountable for this crash if he was served while obviously intoxicated.

Unfortunately, this level of scrutiny is not often given to alcohol-related crashes by many law enforcement agencies, so families are forced to seek independent investigators to track down answers about who may be responsible for accidents like this.

Do you know anything that could help with this investigation? Let us know in the comment section.

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