A driver reportedly traveling in the wrong direction on I-30 in Grand Prairie crashed into another vehicle last week, killing all occupants of the two vehicles involved.
The crash occurred on eastbound I-30 near Belt Line Road just before 1 a.m. on February 18.
Authorities identified the wrong-way driver as 29-year-old Christian Lopez.
One of the victims of the accident was 25-year-old Matthew Yang. Per FOX 4 News, he worked at Four Paws Animal Hospital in Rowlett and was an animal lover who had three dogs.
Yang was driving home from Tarleton State University on the morning of the incident. With him in the car were his girlfriend, 20-year-old Jasmine Huerta, and her dog Mocha. The dog was also killed in the collision.
Per FOX 4 News, Yang’s coworker, Dr. Lori McKelroy, described him as a bright light that attracted people with his compassion. “The world has just lost a beautiful person, and we love him,” McKelroy said.
Huerta’s coworker, Courtney Greer-Rolaff, shared similar sentiments about Jasmine, saying Huerta was a beautiful person inside and out.
Detectives are working to determine how the wrong-way driver left his westbound lane and ended up on the eastbound side of the highway. Surveillance cameras are being pulled so that officers can see where the driver got onto the highway going the wrong direction.
The cause of the collision is currently under investigation. Police said they believe no brakes were applied. They explained that the computer systems of the two vehicles were damaged in the crash, so the speed at which the cars were traveling is unknown.
Authorities say toxicology reports will help find out if any other factors were involved.