Dickson, TN — One Dead, Teenager Injured in Wrong-Way Collision on I-40

‍Dickson, TN (February 25, 2026) — A tragic wrong-way collision claimed the life of a 36-year-old man and left a teenager injured on Tuesday, February 24, on Interstate 40. The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) responded to the scene near the Exit 172 ramp for Centerville/Dickson at approximately 5:40 a.m.

According to the THP report, Sebastian Mateo was driving a Toyota Sienna minivan with a 17-year-old female passenger when he entered the westbound lanes of I-40 for reasons that are still being investigated by law enforcement authorities. A semi-truck pulling a Coca-Cola trailer was traveling westbound when it struck the minivan head-on.

The impact was fatal for Mateo, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A medical helicopter was dispatched to transport the 17-year-old passenger to a nearby trauma center; her current condition has not been released. 

The driver of the semi-truck was not injured, though the tractor-trailer sustained significant damage. 

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the loved ones of the deceased victim during this challenging time. And we also hope that the injured passenger makes a full recovery.

Compensation Victims Can Recover After a Vehicle Accident in Tennessee

In Tennessee, victims and their families can recover compensation for both financial losses and the emotional impact of a crash. While a driver at fault for wrong-way driving may be liable, recovery often depends on the insurance limits of the vehicles involved.

Because Tennessee is a "fault" state, the injured passenger or the estate of the deceased can seek damages for medical bills, funeral costs, and pain and suffering.

Economic damages cover the specific, calculable costs resulting from the accident. This includes the cost of the medical transport, emergency surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation.

Additionally, if the injured victim is a provider for their family, Tennessee law allows for the recovery of lost future earnings, which represents the money the victim would have earned to support their dependents.

Non-economic damages address the "human cost" of the collision, focusing on the intangible impact on a person's life. This category includes compensation for the physical pain the survivors endured during the crash and their subsequent recovery. It also covers loss of consortium, which allows family members to seek compensation for the loss of companionship, love, and guidance following an accident.

Given the traumatic nature of a head-on collision with a semi-truck, victims can also seek damages for mental anguish and psychological trauma, such as PTSD or anxiety.

Tennessee follows a "Modified Comparative Fault" system, which determines how much money a victim can receive based on their level of responsibility. This means a person can only recover money if they are found to be less than 50% at fault for the crash. 

Insurance limits play a massive role in recovery, especially when a collision involves a commercial vehicle. Following this case, head-on crashes with semi-trucks often cause damages that far exceed a standard car insurance policy.

While commercial trucks usually carry high-limit insurance, the investigation must determine if the truck driver had any opportunity to avoid the collision. If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, victims may need to turn to their own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage to ensure their medical and life-changing costs are fully covered.

Our lawyers at The Dunk Law Firm understand that the aftermath of a fatal wrong-way crash involves a difficult road toward both emotional and financial recovery. We can help you navigate the process of gathering the evidence needed to protect your family's future.

Contact The Dunk Law Firm today at 414-209-4398 to speak with our car accident lawyer during a free consultation to get a clear picture of your rights and options.

Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. We have not independently verified all details of the incident. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Dunk Law Firm so we can promptly review and correct the content for accuracy and reliability.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or medical advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship nor constitute a solicitation for legal services. If you have been injured in an accident, please seek immediate medical attention and consult a qualified attorney. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the actual scene or parties involved in the incident.