In Loving Memory of Dontavis Hood
The Leon County community and all those traveling along Interstate 45 are mourning the tragic loss of Dontavis Hood, a 33-year-old man from Missouri City, Texas, whose life was taken in a devastating multi-vehicle crash late Wednesday night. What began as an ordinary night ended in heartbreak, leaving a family grieving, a community shaken, and a stark reminder of how quickly life can change.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred at approximately 10:10 p.m. on Wednesday just south of Buffalo along Interstate 45. Authorities said a Lincoln Town Car became disabled in the outside lane of the interstate. The vehicle was stopped in a dangerous position, without power or lights, leaving it vulnerable in the darkness of the roadway.
Moments later, the disabled vehicle was struck from behind by a Peterbilt tractor-trailer, setting off a tragic chain reaction. After the initial impact, the tractor-trailer then collided with a Ford Escape traveling in the same outside lane. The force of the crash pushed the Escape through the cable barrier in the median and into the northbound lanes of I-45.
The severity of the collision resulted in the complete shutdown of the interstate. Both northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 45 were closed for several hours, causing significant disruption as emergency crews worked through the night to secure the scene, assist victims, and conduct the investigation. The southbound lanes were not reopened until 4:45 a.m. Thursday, while the northbound lanes were later cleared as well.
Tragically, the occupant of the Lincoln Town Car, Dontavis Hood, was pronounced dead at the scene. At just 33 years old, Dontavis’ life was cut short in an instant. He was more than a victim of a crash—he was a son, a loved one, a friend, and a part of a community that now must learn to carry on without him.
Those who knew Dontavis remember him not for the circumstances of his passing, but for the life he lived and the impact he had on the people around him. His loss leaves a deep and painful void, one that words cannot fully heal. The heartbreak felt by his family and loved ones is shared by all who pause to reflect on the fragility of life and the importance of compassion, vigilance, and safety on our roadways.
As the investigation continues, the community joins together in remembrance, offering prayers, condolences, and support to Dontavis Hood’s family during this unimaginable time of grief.
May Dontavis Hood rest in eternal peace. His life mattered, his memory will endure, and he will never be forgotten.