Four families in Texas are grieving an unimaginable loss after four friends were reportedly killed in a crash involving a speeding 18-wheeler during a road trip last week.
According to multiple local outlets, including CBS affiliate KHOU, ABC affiliate KVII, and the Amarillo Globe-News, the collision happened on the afternoon of Nov. 5, about ten miles south of Dalhart. Investigators with the Texas Department of Public Safety say the friends were in a southbound Nissan Altima that had slowed down because of a flat tire when the semi-truck struck them from behind.
All four occupants of the Altima — driver Myunique Johnson, 20, and passengers Lakeisha Brown, 18, Breanna Brantley, 31, and Taylor White, 28 — died at the scene. Authorities noted that everyone in the car was wearing a seat belt.
Lakeisha Brown’s mother, Earlean Patt, told KHOU that the pain is shared by all the families. “My heart doesn’t only go out to my daughter, it goes out to the other three families. This is just a tragedy,” she said.
Loved ones gathered for a balloon release on Nov. 12 to honor the young women. Family attorney Rodney Jones told KHOU that the victims were “beautiful young ladies with bright futures ahead of them” whose lives were “tragically cut short,” adding that the families are seeking answers and justice.
Authorities identified the semi-truck driver as 39-year-old Daniel Villarreal Guadalupe, who they say failed to control his speed. He was taken to Coon Memorial Hospital in Dalhart with non-life-threatening injuries.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
Discover more from True News Media
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Distracted driving you think