Martin Co., TX (June 9, 2026) – A Midland man died, and three other people were injured on Sunday afternoon, June 8, in a four-vehicle collision on Interstate 20 in Martin County.
The accident happened around 1:45 p.m. in the eastbound lanes near mile marker 154. A preliminary report said a 2001 Ford Explorer was traveling west in the eastbound lanes before colliding head-on with a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse.
The impact sent the Traverse into the center median cable barrier. The Ford was then hit by an eastbound 2027 International semi-truck.
A second semi-truck, a 1981 Peterbilt, tried to avoid the wreck but struck the center median while taking evasive action. The Ford driver, 88-year-old Ruben Ramirez Sanchez of Midland, was wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Traverse driver, 36-year-old Abigail Santamaria of Odessa, had serious injuries and was brought to Midland Memorial Hospital. The International driver, 28-year-old Joseph Anthony O’Kelley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Peterbilt driver, 45-year-old Joe Jay Russo of Youngsville, Louisiana, were brought to Martin County Hospital with minor injuries. The circumstances of the wrong-way crash remain under review as investigators continue gathering facts.
We extend our sincere condolences to Sanchez’s family and loved ones, and we hope those injured continue to recover.
Wrong-Way Interstate Crashes Create Fast-Moving Chain Reactions
Wrong-way crashes on interstates are especially dangerous because drivers may meet each other at highway speeds. When one vehicle enters opposing lanes, oncoming drivers may have little time to react.
A head-on impact can force vehicles into medians, barriers, or nearby traffic. In multi-vehicle cases, large trucks may also become involved when drivers try to slow down or steer away from the first collision.
These crashes may require review of travel direction, lane position, roadway access points, and driver actions before impact. Damage patterns and final vehicle positions can help explain how the chain reaction unfolded. When several vehicles are involved, medical details and vehicle movements may take time to confirm.
