DALLAS — The truck that slammed into two cars in Terrell, killing five people — including four from the same family — was hauling a U.S. Postal Service load that began its journey 800 miles away in Atlanta, a WFAA investigation has found.
The driver, Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni, told police he fell asleep and “woke up to a loud bang.”
Sources familiar with the investigation said the truck’s registration, known as a “cab card,” was falsified. Arrest warrants have been issued in connection with the fake registration, though it remains unclear how many were issued or who they name.
Hope Trans LLC, the company the driver worked for, has a troubling safety record, federal records show. It’s been repeatedly cited for drivers exceeding legal hours. Two former drivers told WFAA the company routinely backdated shipping documents to skirt federal fatigue rules.
“The whole family died needlessly,” said attorney John Nohinek, who represents one of the victims’ relatives. “There are so many issues with the company… It’s a matter of time before this happens.”
U.S. Postal Service policy requires two operators in the truck cab, known as team drivers, for trips more than 500 miles. Records show the truck involved in the June 28 crash only had one driver.
