Two Texas teens killed in deadly chain-reaction crash on Christmas Eve
At least three others critically injured in wreck
MILAM COUNTY, Texas (KWTX) - Two teenagers were killed in a chain-reaction collision involving a heavy-duty pickup in rural Central Texas, according to the Texas Dept. of Public Safety.
The deadly wreck happened shortly before 7 p.m. Christmas Eve on U.S. 79 near CR 334 in Milam County.
One of the vehicles involved was a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 dual-wheel pickup truck towing a black 2007 homemade utility trailer. The Dodge was being operated by a 60-year-old man from Lufkin, Texas, traveling eastbound on U.S. 79.
At that same time, a 2019 Ford Escape operated by 18-year-old Cooper Andrew Elsik, of Georgetown, Texas, was traveling westbound on U.S. 79. A 17-year-old girl was riding as a passenger in the vehicle.
According to the investigating Trooper, the driver of the Dodge Ram “failed to maintain a single lane of travel and crossed into the westbound lane, directly into the path of the Ford Escape.”
“The Dodge struck the Ford, resulting in a major chain-reaction collision,” DPS said.
Upon impact, the driver of the Ford lost control of the SUV and collided with a 2026 Infiniti QX60 that was traveling behind the Dodge Ram.
The Infiniti was occupied by three individuals, all of whom were transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital with serious injuries.
Elsik and his 17-year-old passenger were pronounced dead at the scene by Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace David Yarbrough at 7:19 p.m.
The name of the man driving the Dodge Ram was not released by DPS. The name of the girl killed was not released. DPS said the wreck remains under investigation.
This is a developing story. No further information is available.
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