The man accused in a deadly wrong-way collision is asking to remain in Canada for treatment while the Texas case moves forward.
FORT WORTH, Texas — A North Texas family is demanding explanations after the man accused of causing a deadly wrong-way crash in early November asked a Tarrant County judge to let him stay in Canada for medical care, skipping an in-person court appearance this week.
The request, made through a defense attorney, adds a cross-border twist to a case already straining victims’ relatives who say they want clear answers on the suspect’s status and the pace of the proceedings. Authorities say the crash on Interstate 30 killed one person and injured others. Court filings name the suspect as a Canadian national charged in connection with intoxication-related offenses, while the court grapples with logistics that now include out-of-country travel, medical claims and bond conditions.
On Wednesday in Tarrant County, the defendant did not appear in person. His attorney told the court the client was injured in the Nov. 2 crash and wanted to remain in Canada “to receive free healthcare,” adding that he had not yet seen a doctor for those injuries. The request frustrated family members who attended and left without a clear timeline for when the defendant will stand before a Texas judge. Officials acknowledged a clerical error in records that listed an Alabama address rather than a Canadian province, complicating early attempts to track the defendant after he bonded out, the family said.
Investigators say the collision started when a wrong-way vehicle entered westbound I-30 near downtown Fort Worth on the evening of Nov. 2, striking another car and sending multiple people to area hospitals. Records show the defendant, identified as a 45-year-old Canadian national, was later booked on intoxication-related counts tied to serious bodily injury and on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner has since attributed a death to injuries from the crash. While the state alleges impairment and a wrong-way entry, several key details remain unknown in open court, including the defendant’s precise blood-alcohol level and the full toxicology timeline. The defense has not entered a plea in the case.
The crash came amid a series of high-profile wrong-way incidents across North Texas over the past year, drawing attention to enforcement and road design along interstates skirting downtown Fort Worth. Public records show the Traffic Investigation Unit responded to the Nov. 2 wreck and shut portions of I-30 for hours while officers documented the scene, collected debris fields and reviewed camera footage. In at least one earlier filing, officials noted confusion over the defendant’s location once he left a local hospital and posted bond, a problem magnified by the out-of-country address error. Loved ones of the victim say those missteps deepened their doubts about supervision and case tracking during the earliest days of the investigation.
Prosecutors indicated they will oppose any request that leaves the defendant beyond the reach of swift court orders. A judge could set conditions requiring virtual appearances, medical documentation and proof of compliance with bond terms while counsel negotiates the logistics of travel. If the defendant fails to appear for a scheduled hearing, the court could revoke bond and issue a warrant. Extradition would not be immediate; it typically requires a formal request, supporting affidavits and approvals under the U.S.–Canada treaty—a process that can take time. The next court date is expected to focus on notice to counsel and whether the defendant must return to Texas for evaluation and arraignment.
Outside the courthouse, relatives described a week of grief layered with uncertainty. “We came for answers and left with questions,” a family representative said, noting funeral and medical bills as the investigation continues. Neighbors near the crash corridor have placed flowers along a guardrail and taped handwritten notes to a light pole overlooking the freeway. A tow operator recalled seeing scorched asphalt and a line of dented barriers facing the wrong direction—signs, he said, of a violent impact. By late evening, crews reopened westbound lanes while detectives collected witness statements and requested hospital updates.
As of Thursday, the case remained pending in Tarrant County with prosecutors waiting on additional reports and the defense seeking permission for the client to remain under medical care in Canada. Attorneys expect the court to address appearance requirements and bond terms at the next setting later this month.
Author note: Last updated December 19, 2025.