DPS identifies mother and two children killed in fiery U.S. 80 semi-truck crash near Terrell
Forney mother, 2 daughters killed in fiery crash
A young mother and her two daughters died when their car was hit by an 18-wheeler on Hwy. 80 on Sunday night. FOX 4's Shaun Rabb talked to the victims' family about the unthinkable tragedy.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas - A mother and her two daughters were killed late Sunday night in Kaufman County after an 18-wheeler rear-ended their stalled car, knocking the vehicle over a bridge railing, state troopers said.
Fatal crash on US 80
Three people, 1 dog dead in fiery Kaufman County crash
An overnight crash leaves three people and a dog dead in Kaufman County. The crash happened on US 80 between Forney and Terrell.
What we know:
The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the driver of the car as 38-year-old Vanecia Deshun Williams. Williams and her daughters, 14-year-old Sa'niah and a 9-year-old A'veonia, died at the scene.
The crash happened around 11:35 p.m. on eastbound U.S. Highway 80, east of Windmill Farms Boulevard between Forney and Terrell.
According to preliminary investigation results from DPS Highway Patrol, Williams' 2013 Hyundai passenger car had become disabled in the right lane of the highway. An 8-wheeler heading eastbound approached the stalled vehicle and was unable to avoid a collision, rear-ending the Hyundai.
The impact forced the car over the concrete bridge railing and into the area below.
The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured in the crash.
The main eastbound lanes of U.S. 80 were closed for approximately seven and a half hours overnight while emergency personnel and heavy wrecker crews cleared the scene.
What we don't know:
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by state troopers.
What they're saying:
"This tragedy is a reminder to everyone that if your vehicle is disabled, turn on your hazard lights and get completely off the roadway if you can. If you cannot, move the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Grab yourself and your passengers and move away from the traffic," said Texas DPS Sgt. Juan Gutierrez.
Victims Remembered
What they're saying:
Celissa Williams described her cousin and her girls as the most exciting, vibrant part of their very large and tight-knit family.
"They were literally the glue to our family. They were the first, the first grand babies, the first baron, the first daughters. They taught us how to love, how to be mothers, how to support each other," she said.
Family matriarch Vanessa Williams was more reserve during Monday's interview, but wanted people to know she is leaning on her faith.
"We believe in God. God is the answer. She was a true believer. We are true believers of God. So we know that God has her. We know that she's taken well care of," she said.
Still, though, the family knows the loss will take a toll.
"It's not going to be the same. No holidays, no birthdays. It's definitely not going to be the same without them," Celissa Williams said.
What you can do:
The family set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs and related expenses. To contribute, visit www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-vanecia-williams-daughters.
The Source: Information in this article is from Texas DPS and the victims' relatives.