HUMBLE, Texas – Two people have died in a crash after a load of wet cement dropped from a nearby company’s truck in Humble Friday, Harris County deputies said.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the crash happened in the 15700 block of Old Humble Road at around 5:30 a.m. when a cement truck’s load of wet cement spilled on the roadway.
Gonzalez identified the two victims killed as 19-year-old Seliz Palacios and 49-year-old LaTonya Earl.
Earl is a well-known gospel singer in the Houston area. She worked as the Bethel’s Family Baptist Church Worship Creative Arts Director and sang in the church’s choir. The church held a vigil Friday night.
“When she sings, she throws you into the praising worship of God,” said Bethel’s Family senior pastor Walter August Jr.
Walter Earl said his wife was involved in the crash just a few minutes after she dropped him off at work.
“I just didn’t know what to say I was just devastated,” said Walter Earl.
He said he and his wife of 30 years shared three children.
striking the white suv. Still an on-going examinination. #HouNews
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) February 14, 2020
Originally, Gonzalez said La Tanya Earl in a light-colored SUV drove into the wet cement while traveling northbound and left the roadway, jumping a median and traveling to the other side of oncoming traffic while Palacios in a red sedan was traveling southbound. However, he now says the roles may be reversed.
Gonzalez said it appears the portion of the truck holding the cement was turning the wrong way while the driver was turning the corner. The driver of the cement truck stopped to render aid and has been cooperative with deputies throughout the investigation, Gonzalez said.