Leon County, Texas (December 17, 2025) — Authorities have identified the man killed Wednesday night in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 45 in Leon County as Dontavis Hood, 33, of Missouri City, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Incident Details: The fatal crash occurred at approximately 10 p.m. on southbound I-45 near Exit 178 in Buffalo, DPS officials said. Sgt. Justin Ruiz reported that Hood was driving a Lincoln Town Car when the vehicle stalled in the inside lane of traffic. Authorities stated that the car did not have its lights on at the time it became disabled.
An 18-wheeler traveling southbound subsequently rear-ended the stalled vehicle. Hood was pronounced dead at the scene. Following the initial impact, a secondary collision occurred when the 18-wheeler struck an SUV traveling in the inside lane, pushing it through the cable barrier and into the northbound lanes of I-45. There were three occupants inside the SUV, and DPS said they may have suffered injuries. No further details about their conditions have been released.
The crash forced a shutdown of a portion of I-45 for several hours as authorities investigated and cleared the scene.
Investigation: The Texas Department of Public Safety is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. In freeway collisions involving stalled vehicles, investigators typically examine why the vehicle became disabled, whether emergency signals or hazard lights were activated, and how visible the vehicle was to approaching traffic.
Troopers will analyze vehicle damage, skid marks, debris patterns, and the sequence of impacts to determine whether the 18-wheeler had sufficient time and distance to avoid the stalled car. Investigators may also review data from the commercial truck, including speed, braking, and driver response, before the collision.
Additional factors often evaluated include roadway lighting, traffic flow, driver attentiveness, and whether mechanical issues contributed to the initial stall. The secondary collision involving the SUV will also be examined to determine how the chain reaction unfolded.
Legal Considerations: Rear-end collisions involving disabled vehicles on high-speed roadways are particularly hazardous, often leaving little room for error. When a car stalls in an active travel lane, the risk to occupants increases dramatically, particularly at night when visibility is reduced.
Depending on the investigation’s findings, multiple factors may be evaluated for civil liability, including vehicle maintenance, visibility issues, and whether the drivers involved exercised reasonable care under the circumstances. If negligence is established, Hood’s loved ones may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for funeral expenses and the loss of companionship and support.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Dontavis Hood, and I wish a full recovery to those injured in this tragic chain-reaction crash.
Source: KBTX