Fatal car accident kills 3 Orangefield teens

Three Orangefield students were killed in an early Sunday morning two-vehicle auto accident. Their 2008 Mazda reportedly crossed into the lanes of oncoming traffic on Texas 62 in Orange and struck another vehicle.

The boys’ car hit a Chevy Tahoe near FM 105 on a Sunday morning. Authorities say they do not expect alcohol was a factor in the crash.

A 17-year-old and a 16-year-old were both pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. A 17-year-old accident victim was transported to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Accident investigators did note the vehicles in the crash left no skid marks on Texas 62. The Justice of the Peace who reported to the crash site said the absence of skid marks leads him to believe alcohol was not involved. The investigation is ongoing, but was stalled while the Department of Public Safety trooper who is in charge of the case took four or five days off of work.

Anyone who has lost a loved one knows how difficult it can be. However, losing a loved one suddenly and unexpectedly can cause immense devastation to the family and friends of those who passed away. When young lives are claimed early, it can be especially painful to cope with. Having to bury a child is every parent’s worst nightmare.

Hopefully this fatal accident and the many others like it that occur in Texas every year will help encourage drivers to operate their vehicles cautiously and without distraction. It could go a long way toward keeping Texas roads safe.

Source: beaumontenterprise.com, “Orangefield gathers to mourn teens killed in Sunday wreck,” Amy Moore and Julie Chang, Sept. 20, 2011