ORANGE, Texas — Eastbound lanes of I-10 are now open after a two-vehicle fatality crash just inside Texas at the state line caused traffic for miles headed into Louisiana.
City of Orange Police officers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers responded to the wreck Friday morning, according to dispatchers with both agencies.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates that around 7 a.m., a commercial vehicle was traveling east and reportedly failed to control speed. Officials said the commercial vehicle struck a 2012 Honda passenger car in the rear, which caused the car to lose control and crash.
The driver of the commercial vehicle continued driving after the crash and has not been located, according to DPS.
The driver of the Honda has been identified by state officials as 34-year-old Pascual Dela-Cruz from Mexico. Dela-Cruz was transported to a Lake Charles hospital for treatment.
A passenger riding in the backseat of the Honda was pronounced dead at the scene by an Orange County Justice of the Peace. The identity of the passenger will not be released until next of kin has been notified.
Two other passengers were transported to an area hospital for treatment, DPS said in a news release.
Investigators are requesting anyone with any information to contact Lufkin DPS Communications at 936-699-7340.
The eastbound lanes of I-10 are now open for normal traffic.
As of 7:50 a.m. eastbound traffic on Interstate 10 appeared to be backed up past Martin Luther King Jr. Drive nearly six miles from the state line, according to Google Maps.
Full news release from Texas Department of Public Safety...
ORANGE COUNTY – Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash this morning on I-10, near the Louisiana state line.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates at approximately 7 a.m., a commercial vehicle was traveling east and reportedly failed to control speed and struck a 2012 Honda passenger car in the rear, causing the vehicle to lose control and crash.
The driver of the commercial vehicle continued driving after the crash and has not been located.
The driver of the Honda is identified as 34-year-old Pascual Dela-Cruz from Mexico. Dela-Cruz was transported to a Lake Charles hospital for treatment.
A passenger riding in the backseat of the Honda was pronounced deceased at the scene by an Orange County Justice of the Peace. The identity of the passenger is not immediately available at this time pending notification of next of kin.
Two additional passengers were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Investigators are requesting anyone with any information to please contact Lufkin DPS Communications at 936-699-7340.
The eastbound lanes of I-10 are now open for normal traffic.
Additional information is not available at this time as this investigation remains ongoing.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
