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MIDLAND, Midland County, Texas, Sept. 21, 2026 — A 17-year-old driver died Sunday afternoon, September 20, after driving the wrong way on West Loop 250 North in Midland and colliding with another vehicle. Two other vehicles and their occupants were involved, according to the Midland Police Department.
The Midland Police Department said officers were called around 2:05 p.m. to reports of a driver headed the wrong way near West Loop 250 North and North Midkiff Road. The teen was reportedly driving a Chevrolet Camaro eastbound in the westbound main lanes.
Officers attempted to intercept the vehicle near West Loop 250 North and North Garfield Street, but the driver got past them and kept going eastbound in the westbound lanes, according to the department. The Camaro then collided with another vehicle near West Loop 250 North and North Big Spring Street.
A preliminary investigation found that a third vehicle then struck debris from the crash, lost steering control and hit the second vehicle, according to MPD. The 17-year-old driving the Camaro was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the other two vehicles were taken to Midland Memorial Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening, police said.
The investigation remains open, and no further details have been released. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased, and we hope those injured recover fully.
Who Faces the Greatest Danger in Wrong-Way Crashes
Wrong-way crashes tend to happen at higher speeds than most other collisions, because vehicles are closing on each other from opposite directions instead of traveling the same way. That makes the drivers and passengers in the vehicle that gets hit head-on among the most likely to suffer serious injury, even when they did nothing to cause the crash.
Younger drivers show up in wrong-way crash data more often than their share of licensed drivers would predict, in part because inexperience and nighttime driving overlap. Older drivers are also overrepresented in some studies, often linked to confusion at interchanges or reduced night vision. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, alcohol-impaired drivers had a higher risk of fatal wrong-way crashes on divided highways in 2014 through 2023.
Passengers in the wrong-way vehicle itself face some of the highest risk of all, since they have little time to react once the vehicle is already headed into oncoming traffic. Drivers on the correct side of the road, meanwhile, often have only seconds to swerve or brake once they spot the danger.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do highways try to stop wrong-way entries?
Many divided highways use lowered wrong-way signs, reflective pavement arrows and, at some interchanges, sensors that alert authorities or flash warnings when a vehicle enters against traffic.
Does alcohol play a role in wrong-way crashes?
Impaired driving is a common factor in wrong-way crashes nationally, though investigators typically need toxicology results or witness reports to confirm it in any single case.
Are wrong-way crashes more common on certain roads?
They occur most often on divided highways and freeways with limited-access ramps, particularly at night, when a driver may enter an exit ramp mistaking it for an entrance.
What causes wrong-way crashes?
Common factors include impairment, driver confusion at interchanges, fatigue and, in some cases, a driver evading law enforcement or attempting to flee a scene.
What to Do After a Wrong-Way Crash in Midland, TX
If you're involved in a wrong-way crash, get to a safe spot away from traffic if you're able, and call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical check is worth doing, since adrenaline can mask pain from impact injuries for hours.
Stay at the scene until officers arrive and gather information for the police report. Take photos of vehicle positions and damage if it's safe to do so, and get contact information for any witnesses nearby.
Follow up with your own doctor in the days after, even if you were cleared at the hospital. Some injuries, especially from sudden braking or being thrown against the interior of a vehicle, take a day or two to show symptoms.
