Ford Mustang travelled west in eastbound lanes near Bell Tower Road
April 18, 2026 | Coryell, TX
A devastating wrong-way crash on Interstate 14 claimed the life of Windy Neth, a 27-year-old Belton resident, late on April 18.
The Texas Department of Public Safety reported the incident occurred just before midnight near Bell Tower Road, between Killeen and Copperas Cove.
Windy Neth, 27, of Belton was killed after a Ford Mustang travelling in the eastbound lanes collided with her Ford Explorer on Interstate 14 in Bell County.
What Happened in the Crash?
According to preliminary findings from DPS troopers, a 2016 Ford Mustang driven by a 40-year-old man from Gatesville was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. The vehicle collided head-on with an eastbound 2016 Ford Explorer operated by Neth.
Key details include:
- Victim: Windy Neth, 27, from Belton, pronounced dead at the scene.
- Passenger: A 2-year-old girl in the Explorer suffered incapacitating injuries and was transported to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple.
- Other Driver: The 40-year-old Mustang driver from Gatesville also died at the scene.
- Vehicles Involved: 2016 Ford Mustang, wrong-way, and 2016 Ford Explorer, eastbound.
- Location: Interstate 14 near Bell Tower Road, Coryell County.
- Time: Just before midnight on April 18.
- Agency: Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the ongoing investigation.
This tragic accident underscores the dangers of wrong-way driving on highways.
Why Do Wrong-Way Crashes Happen?
Wrong-way collisions pose severe risks to all road users, often stemming from a mix of human error, environmental factors, and impairment. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicates that up to 75% of such incidents involve drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Common contributing factors include:
- Driver impairment from alcohol or substances.
- Distracted or fatigued driving.
- Confusion from signage, road design, or low visibility.
- Medical emergencies affecting the driver.
To illustrate the scope of these accidents, the following table summarizes key statistics from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and NTSB:
Factor |
Percentage of Wrong-Way Crashes |
Source |
|---|
Alcohol/Drug Impairment |
75% |
NTSB |
Nighttime Occurrences |
70% |
FHWA |
Interstate Highways |
60% of all wrong-way incidents |
FHWA |
Fatal Outcomes |
40% result in at least one death |
CDC |
These figures highlight the urgent need for enhanced prevention measures, such as improved signage and wrong-way detection systems.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving motor vehicle crashes, thorough investigations are essential to determine liability and contributing factors. National legal analysts emphasize the importance of examining road conditions, visibility, and driver behavior.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined,” said Candice Bond, managing partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond, a well-known auto accident attorney.
Key takeaways from analyst perspectives:
- Families may pursue wrongful death claims to seek compensation for loss of companionship, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- Legal representation ensures rights are protected during investigations.
- Prompt action can help secure evidence and hold responsible parties accountable.
- “The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” noted Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. “We understand just what families must go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).