Michael Valera and William Rodman OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI — Two men, Michael Valera and William Rodman, have died following a deadly crash along Interstate 10 near Ocean Springs, authorities confirmed, marking a devastating loss for families and prompting an ongoing investigation into the cause of the collision.
Michael Valera, 32, of central Florida, was the driver of a prisoner transport van that collided with a utility vehicle on the westbound lanes of I-10 at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Rodman, 34, was an inmate being transported at the time of the crash. Both were pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma, with Rodman also sustaining fatal burns as the transport van overturned and erupted in flames.
The van, operated by a private transport company under contract to move inmates between facilities, was en route from Florida when it struck a 2005 Ford E-350 utility truck before veering off the roadway, overturning and catching fire, authorities said. Three other occupants of the transport van and the driver of the utility truck were seriously injured and transported to hospitals for treatment, with two victims airlifted for critical care.
Valera is remembered by colleagues and loved ones as a dedicated corrections officer and family man whose commitment to duty extended beyond the uniform. Rodman, whose life and background drew him far from his Mississippi endpoint, was being extradited on charges related to financial offenses.
Local law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances leading to the crash, examining factors including vehicle speed, mechanical conditions, and road conditions at the time of the impact. The Mississippi Highway Patrol’s Commercial Transportation Enforcement Division assisted in responding to the collision and documenting evidence at the scene.
Friends and family of Valera and Rodman have expressed profound grief over the unexpected loss. Emergency responders and bystanders described the scene as chaotic, with first responders working swiftly to control the blaze and assist survivors.
Funeral arrangements and memorial services for Valera and Rodman are being coordinated by their respective families, who continue to receive an outpouring of support from their communities.
The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns on major interstates and the risks faced by law enforcement, transport personnel, and motorists on America’s roadways.