ABILENE,TX (07/09/2017) — A seven-year-old child was killed Sunday evening following a two-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 20 near Winters Freeway.
According to Abilene Police, 29-year-old April Cortez (of Abilene) and her seven-year-old child passenger were traveling westbound on I-20 in a 2001 Lincoln Navigator. As Cortez neared the exit for Highway 277 (Winters Freeway) at around 7:00 p.m., the driver of a westbound 2002 Ford Mustang (identified as 18-year-old Kendall Thompson of Louisiana) attempted to pass Cortez’ Navigator.
As the Mustang driver was attempting to pass, the driver reportedly lost traction with the roadway and struck the Navigator. As a result, the Navigator was forced off the road and rolled over.
Tragically, Cortez’ 7-year-old child, Jae-vion Christian, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Frank Cleveland.
Commentary
While police have said that they do not believe alcohol or drugs to have played a role in this crash, the matter is currently under investigation by members of the Abilene Police Department’s Traffic Division. We will provide updates to this story as more information is released.
