MCDADE, TX (03/04/2016) — Four people were killed, and two others were injured, after a head-on collision that occurred at the intersection of Highway 290 and FM 2336 in McDade, Texas.
The four victims were identified as 43-year-old James Alexander and his 10-year-old son, Jackson Alexander, 30-year-old Angelica Ortega and her 2-year-old nephew.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that at around 2:00 p.m., Ortega was traveling westbound in an SUV when, for unknown reasons, she swerved into eastbound traffic and collided with the Alexander family’s pickup truck. The Alexander family was reportedly on their way to Houston for a funeral.
James and Jackson Alexander both lost their lives in the wreckage. James’ wife and their 7-year-old son were flown to University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin, Texas.
“I was just like oh Lord, please don’t let it be a family member or somebody so close, but it’s always a deadly accident. And sure enough as soon as I pulled up, I saw them wrapping up that child. It was horrible,” Michelle Pruett, who lives just across from the intersection in McDade said.
The DPS stated that six individuals have died along the 2.5 mile stretch of Highway 290 in the last three weeks alone.
“The roadway doesn’t – is not what affects it. It’s people that affect people and when we’re driving and operating a motor vehicle, we really need to pay attention to our driving. Limit the distractions, make sure we’re paying attention,” Robbie Barrera, with the DPS, said.
The DPS is currently investigating this fatal accident.
Commentary
Mr. Barrera made a point to state that accidents do not occur as a result of roads, but as a result of drivers lacking in focus and disregarding speed limits. As we have previously stated, when you’re driving, please put down your cell phones, maintain a safe speed, and drive as distraction-free as possible.
