BRIDGE CITY, Texas — A Texas Department of Public Safety investigation is underway after a Friday afternoon three-car crash claimed the life of a 4-year-old.
Justice of the Peace Ben Collins told 12News that a 4-year-old is dead, and another person is in the hospital in critical condition after a wreck on Rainbow Bridge. Judge Collins has ordered an autopsy.
(Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the child's mother as the driver. 12News was initially given incorrect information.)
An initial investigation revealed it happened shortly after noon.
A 2005 Ford pickup was stopped in the left lane of State Highway 87. A 2018 Chevrolet pickup pulled behind the Ford to assist with traffic, by turning on their emergency lights and putting cones out.
Reportedly, a 2015 Dodge passenger car failed to control its speed and hit the back of the Chevrolet. This caused the Chevrolet to hit the Ford.
After impact, the Dodge skidded into the right lane and hit a guard rail, according to the release. The driver and child were in the Dodge and both were taken to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth for treatment.
The child was pronounced dead at the hospital. The 4-year-old was not wearing a seat belt or secured in a child safety seat at the the time of the fatal crash, according to a DPS release.
The driver of the Ford and the driver of the Chevrolet were also transported to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth for treatment. The severity of their injuries is unknown.
12News crews who were at the scene reported that the bridge had been completely shut down. Officials at the scene said the bridge would be closed for an, "undetermined amount of time."
The family opened a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses for the child.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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From an Texas Department of Public Safety release:
ORANGE COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is investigating a three-vehicle crash on state Highway 87, on the Rainbow Bridge in the westbound lanes, occurring today, March 25, 2022.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 12:10 p.m., a 2005 Ford pickup was disabled in the left lane. A 2018 Chevrolet pickup pulled behind the disabled vehicle and turned on its emergency flashers and put cones out, in an attempt to assist with traffic. It is reported that a 2015 Dodge passenger car failed to control its speed and struck the rear of the Chevrolet, which pushed it into the Ford. After impact, the Dodge skid into the right lane and struck the guard rail.
The driver of the Ford was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Chevrolet was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Dodge was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment. There was one child passenger who was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Their identities are not immediately available pending the notification of their next of kin.
The investigation remains ongoing and there is no additional information available at this time.
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