THE WOODLANDS, Texas – A fiery crash involving a suspected drunk driver Sunday night on I-45 going northbound claimed a 3-year-old’s life and sent three others to the hospital.
SEE ALSO: Good Samaritans pull e-bike off Harris Co. deputy after crashing in downtown Houston
Recommended Videos
According to The Woodlands Fire Department, it happened around 8:15 p.m. on the I-45 North mainlanes near FM 1488.
With the assistance of Conroe FD and Montgomery Co. Hospital District, they were able to quickly get on the scene, where they found two vehicles covered in flames.
A total of four people were involved in the crash.
In one vehicle was a 26-year-old mother and her two daughters, 5 and 3 years old, respectively. Tragically, the 3-year-old could not be rescued, Conroe PD confirmed, and died from her injuries. In the other vehicle was Donald Carson, 55, the sole occupant. All three were rushed to a hospital.
MORE STORIES INVOLVING CRASHES
Preliminarily, Conroe PD said it believes the crash started with the mother’s car parked on the main lanes’ shoulder after suffering a blown tire. That’s when officials said Carson veered into the inside shoulder, striking the other vehicle’s rear before they both caught on fire.
During the investigation, police said Carson appeared to be impaired, and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office charged him with intoxication manslaughter as well as two counts of intoxication assault. After he is released from the hospital, the 55-year-old will be taken to Montgomery County Jail.
In a statement, Conroe PD Chief Jon Buckholtz called the crash “unimaginable” and “entirely preventable,” as well as noting they would be working to ensure justice would be swift.
“This crash was entirely preventable and is an unimaginable loss to our community and most importantly this family. We grieve with the family as a mother and child fight for their lives with serious injuries in an intensive care unit, while their precious three-year-old has been taken from them forever. Due to the decisions and actions of yet another intoxicated driver, we will never know the impact that this child may have had on the world: a life full of promise and potential.
“We are committed to working closely with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office in ensuring that swift and strong justice is served, however nothing we can do will ever turn back this clock. Our deepest and sincere condolences are extended to the family as we pray for the recovery of this mother and her surviving child.”