Alex Ramses Killed in Odessa Car Accident
The early-morning collision occurred when the other driver failed to yield the right-of-way
Alex Ramses, 19, of Odessa, was killed in a head-on car crash on the Interstate 20 north service road in Odessa on Aug. 6, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Paramedics pronounced both drivers dead at the scene near mile marker 108. The eastbound Nissan Altima failed to yield to the westbound Volkswagen GTI as it attempted to enter the highway on-ramp at approximately 5:15 a.m., investigators reported.
Ramses was driving the Volkswagen.
The crash remains under investigation by state troopers.
How common are fatal crashes on Texas service roads?
Texas recorded 4,150 motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2024, with right-of-way violations remaining a persistent factor in statewide collisions.
The tragic loss of Ramses highlights the devastating consequences when right-of-way protocols are ignored. In cases like this, crash reconstructionists examine vehicle data recorders, roadway marks, and driver histories to build a complete timeline of the moments before impact.
What factors do investigators examine in early-morning collisions?
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Distracted driving turns an ordinary intersection into a hazard, since a driver glancing at a phone for a moment can miss a vehicle committed to a turn. A split second of inattention can tragically prove fatal."
"A legal team investigating a deadly right of way collision works to obtain cellphone records, traffic signal timing data, and surveillance footage," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Because this collision occurred at 5:15 a.m., investigators will likely look into where the at-fault driver was prior to the crash to rule out secondary cause like driver fatigue or impairment.
Texas wrongful death statute
Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.001, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Texas applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral expenses, and mental anguish.
"Crash reconstruction experts map out collision scenes with high-tech scanners to figure out how vehicles collided. These technical reviews show how energy shifted during impact," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "An attorney works with independent specialists to examine those findings and protect surviving relatives from inaccurate insurance reports that could harm a claim."