A severe crash on the Nueces River Bridge in Zavala County, Texas, led to the tragic deaths of five individuals. The incident occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on January 21.
The accident: Two vans towing trailers were involved in a rear-end collision on an icy bridge along U.S. Highway 57. A pickup truck stopped due to the crash, catching the attention of nearby bystanders trying to wave down a semi truck.
- The truck driver, maneuvering the middle of the road to avoid the crash, lost control and collided with the vehicles.
Maria Pineda, the van driver, along with Pedro Urquiza, Estanislao Jaimes, Diana Lopez, and Jose Artemio Rodriguez, died, reportedly having been found at the bottom of the bridge.
The investigation: Authorities are examining whether the individuals jumped or were hit by the truck, reported The New York Times.
Seven others were hospitalized, while the truck driver sustained minor injuries and declined treatment.
Looking forward: The investigation into this tragic event is ongoing, with authorities working to determine all details surrounding the crash.