Wrong-Way Crash on I-40 Near Vega Claims Three Lives, Including 11-Year-Old Boy

Wrong-Way Crash on I-40 Near Vega Claims Three Lives, Including 11-Year-Old Boy

VEGA, Texas — A devastating wrong-way crash on Interstate 40 near Vega has left three people dead, including an 11-year-old boy, in what authorities describe as a heartbreaking tragedy.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred around 6:35 p.m. Monday, roughly one mile west of Vega in Oldham County. Investigators said the deadly chain of events began when the driver of a big rig veered onto the shoulder of the highway and struck the back of another semi-truck that was parked and unoccupied.

The impact pushed the moving semi across the median and into the path of oncoming traffic. The truck then collided head-on with a Honda Pilot SUV, killing three people inside.

The victims have been identified as Ronald Momeyer, 62, and Julie Momeyer, 61, both of Mesa, Arizona, along with their 11-year-old grandson. Ronald and Julie died at the scene. The boy was rushed to Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo with critical injuries before being transferred to University Medical Center in Lubbock, where he later succumbed to his wounds.

Authorities continue to investigate contributing factors, including fatigue, mechanical failure, or driver error.

The loss has left the Momeyer family devastated, with loved ones in Arizona mourning the deaths of the devoted grandparents and their young grandson. Officials stressed that the crash serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of large truck accidents and the catastrophic consequences they can bring in seconds.