Yesterday afternoon around 2:15 p.m., a single-vehicle SUV rollover accident east of Dallas claimed the lives of five children.
Two adults and 10 children were inside the sport utility vehicle on their way to a water park when the accident took place. The driver of the GMC Envoy lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll off of the interstate. It finally came to a stop in a ditch alongside the road. Nine of the passengers were ejected from the vehicle as a result of the rollover. Four children, between the ages of 2 and 13, were pronounced dead at the scene.
An additional child passed away at a nearby hospital on Monday night. The other individuals involved in the accident were transported to a hospital in Tyler, where multiple children are listed in critical condition. According to reports, child safety seats were not present in the vehicle, and there weren’t enough seat belts to properly secure all 10 children in the vehicle.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, and at this time the cause of the deadly accident is unclear.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the young victims during this tragic time.