Posted 2:48 am Friday, June 01, 2012
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Family Of 4, SUV Driver Die In Fiery I-20 Wreck
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
A Wednesday night two-vehicle crash in Mesquite killed a Lindale woman, her three children and the driver of a rented SUV.
Lt. Bill Hedgpeth, spokesman for the Mesquite Police Department, said just after 11 p.m. Krystle Carranza, 27, was, for some unknown reason, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic on Interstate 20 when the Ford pickup she was driving collided with a GMC Arcadia near Farm-to-Market Road 740.
Although Mrs. Carranza was identified, Hedgpeth said the three children in her vehicle were not being identified at this time.
Staff Writer
A Wednesday night two-vehicle crash in Mesquite killed a Lindale woman, her three children and the driver of a rented SUV.
Lt. Bill Hedgpeth, spokesman for the Mesquite Police Department, said just after 11 p.m. Krystle Carranza, 27, was, for some unknown reason, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic on Interstate 20 when the Ford pickup she was driving collided with a GMC Arcadia near Farm-to-Market Road 740.
Although Mrs. Carranza was identified, Hedgpeth said the three children in her vehicle were not being identified at this time.
“We don’t have an identity on the driver of the SUV because it was a rental, and we will have to use dental records to make the identification,” he said.
Hedgpeth said the scene was horrific due to both vehicles bursting into flames upon impact.
“First responders attempted to use fire extinguishers to put out the fires, but (it) was no use,” he said.
He added the victims were all burned badly.
Family members told the Dallas CBS affiliate the children killed were 5-year-old Nevaeh Carranza, 3-year-old Delaney Carranza and 2-year-old Aleigha Carranza.
Hedgpeth said the scene was horrific due to both vehicles bursting into flames upon impact.
“First responders attempted to use fire extinguishers to put out the fires, but (it) was no use,” he said.
He added the victims were all burned badly.
Family members told the Dallas CBS affiliate the children killed were 5-year-old Nevaeh Carranza, 3-year-old Delaney Carranza and 2-year-old Aleigha Carranza.
Stan Surratt, Lindale ISD superintendent, said the elementary school has been greatly affected by the deaths of the family because many in the district worked with the family.
Surratt said the 5-year-old was one of the district’s Early Childhood Center students.
“Our entire campus has been saddened by this news,” Early Childhood Center Principal Dana Sustaire said. “So many of our staff members and teachers worked with the family one-on-one and know them well. We met as a campus this morning to discuss our emotions during this difficult time. We will reach out to the family and support them in any way possible.”
Surratt said the district’s thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all of the victims.
Surratt said the Lindale school year ended Wednesday.
Hedgpeth said the accident remains under investigation and that autopsies were being performed, including toxicology.
“We don’t know if alcohol or drugs played a part in this tragic accident, but we will have to wait until the toxicology reports come back, and that could take weeks,” he said.
Surratt said the 5-year-old was one of the district’s Early Childhood Center students.
“Our entire campus has been saddened by this news,” Early Childhood Center Principal Dana Sustaire said. “So many of our staff members and teachers worked with the family one-on-one and know them well. We met as a campus this morning to discuss our emotions during this difficult time. We will reach out to the family and support them in any way possible.”
Surratt said the district’s thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all of the victims.
Surratt said the Lindale school year ended Wednesday.
Hedgpeth said the accident remains under investigation and that autopsies were being performed, including toxicology.
“We don’t know if alcohol or drugs played a part in this tragic accident, but we will have to wait until the toxicology reports come back, and that could take weeks,” he said.
