A dangerous wrong-way driving incident on Fort Worth's South Freeway resulted in a multi-vehicle collision early Monday morning, leaving two people injured and closing the express lanes indefinitely. The crash occurred around 2:15 a.m. near the intersection of South Freeway and East Morningside Drive when a driver traveling northbound in the southbound lanes struck three vehicles, including a city-owned vehicle and two semi-trucks. The wrong-way driver became pinned underneath one of the semi-trucks and required extrication by fire crews before being transported to a local hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. One of the semi-truck drivers sustained minor injuries and was also hospitalized. The southbound express lanes of the freeway south of Meacham Boulevard remained closed Monday morning with no definite timeline for reopening. Fort Worth police investigators believe alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash, and a traffic detective has taken over the investigation.

Location and Infrastructure

The South Freeway, also known as Interstate 35W, is a major north-south corridor through Fort Worth, connecting downtown with southern suburbs and serving as a critical route for both commuter and commercial traffic. The crash location near East Morningside Drive is situated in a heavily traveled section of the highway that accommodates significant truck traffic throughout the day and night. The express lanes, which were indefinitely closed following the incident, provide alternative routing for through traffic and are essential for managing congestion during peak hours. This section of I-35W features multiple lanes in each direction with concrete barriers separating opposing traffic flows, though wrong-way entries can still occur at entrance ramps or interchanges. The area near Meacham Boulevard serves industrial and residential areas, making it a busy corridor at all hours.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Texas law holds wrong-way drivers strictly liable for damages caused by their negligent actions, particularly when alcohol is involved. Under Texas Transportation Code, driving while intoxicated and traveling the wrong direction on a divided highway constitute serious traffic violations that can support both criminal charges and civil liability claims. Victims of wrong-way crashes may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, and injured parties typically have two years from the date of the accident to file personal injury claims under the state's statute of limitations. When commercial vehicles like semi-trucks are involved, additional parties such as trucking companies or their insurers may bear responsibility depending on the circumstances. The involvement of a city-owned vehicle may also trigger specific governmental claim procedures with shorter notification deadlines, typically six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Fort Worth Police Department: (817) 392-4222
• Fort Worth Fire Department: (817) 392-7911
• MedStar Mobile Healthcare (Fort Worth EMS): 911 for emergencies

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Texas Department of Transportation Fort Worth District: (817) 370-6500
• Fort Worth Traffic Safety: www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/transportation-public-works
• DriveTexas.org - Real-time traffic conditions and closures

Support Services:

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) North Texas: (214) 744-6233
• Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Program: (800) 983-9933
• Victim Services Division, Tarrant County DA: (817) 884-3156

Legal Information:

• Texas Transportation Code: www.statutes.capitol.texas.gov
• Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help: (800) 252-3439