BEAUMONT, Texas — Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating a major wreck that claimed the life of an 11-year-old and injured two adults and eight children.
The deadly accident took place early Sunday morning. Troopers believe that a Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV was traveling west in the outside lane around 5:45 a.m., when an unknown vehicle made an unsafe lane change and cut off the Chevrolet.
While attempting to avoid the vehicle, the Chevrolet, driven by Jamel Madison, 36, of Stockbridge, Ga, hit a concrete barrier which caused it to roll over, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety release.
There were 11 people in the Chevrolet, Lt. Chuck Havard told 12News. An 11-year-old who was in the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the release.
An adult passenger, Tracey Moseley, 35, and nine children ages three through 16-years-old were also injured.
Three were flown to Memorial Hermann, and the other seven were taken to Christus St. Elizabeth.
The names of the children have not been released.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
From a Jefferson County Sheriff's Office release:
JEFFERSON COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a fatal crash on Interstate 10, just east of Smith Road, this morning, October 9, 2022.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 5:45 a.m., a Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV was traveling west in the outside lane. It is reported that an unknown vehicle made an unsafe lane change and cut the SUV off. The SUV took evasive action to the left and struck the concrete barrier, and then back to the right, which caused it to overturn.
The SUV had a total of 11 occupants. One occupant, an 11-year-old child, was pronounced deceased on scene by a Justice of the Peace. Three occupants were transported to Hermann Memorial Hospital and seven occupants were transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
The identities of the occupants in the vehicle have not been confirmed at this time.
This is an ongoing investigation and there are no additional details available at this moment