Child Killed, Father Injured When Car Flies Off I-10

BAYTOWN, TX — A 4-year-old girl was killed and father was injured in a crash on Interstate 10 on Wednesday morning. The crash happened at about 7 a.m. on I-10 west near Crosby-Lynchburg Road near Baytown.

Investigators said the car was traveling westbound on the freeway when the car and an 18-wheeler collided. Investigators believe the 18-wheeler was trying to change lanes and didn't see the car.

Deputies said the car flew over a concrete barrier over the San Jacinto River and landed upside down beneath two overpasses near the river.

Major crash: Deputies responding to Crosby-Lynchburg/I-10 East. Preliminary info: An 18-wheeler and a sedan involved. The sedan went through guardrail and off a steep drop. A child may be trapped. LifeFlight enroute. Avoid the area. #HouNews #HouTraffic pic.twitter.com/34BG8cgqg0
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) May 22, 2019

Sheriff’s investigators said the parents, a 35-year-old man and his 24-year-old wife, were on their way home with their child at the time of the crash and were both injured. The father was injured and taken to and area hospital in unknown condition.

The child's mother told deputies that her child was trapped in the car. Deputies searched the car and feared she'd been ejected into the San Jacinto River. Deputies were preparing to call in a dive team, when they found the child beneath the front end of the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators closed one lane of I-10 west during the investigation, but traffic was slowed in both directions. Accident investigators are still on the scene and advise motorist to avoid the area if possible.

The names of the victims have not been released.

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com