HOUSTON – A 21-year-old father was killed when the vehicle he was riding in was struck by a loose tire from a box truck Thursday, Harris County Pct. 5 Constable’s Office said.
According to Precinct 5, a box truck was traveling eastbound on I-10 when it lost a wheel and a tire. The tire bounced into the westbound lanes near Bunker Hill, striking a car and killing the front-seat passenger, who was identified by family as 21-year-old Clayton Alexander Vaughn.
“We’re facing a senseless tragedy over something that could have been tied down,” said Vaughn’s uncle Evan Richard.
The driver, who family members said is the victim’s girlfriend, veered across all six lanes and struck the outside wall heading westbound.
The girlfriend was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials said the box truck continued without stopping.
Vaughn was the father of a 4-month-old girl, family members told KPRC 2. He was described as being kind and having a gentle soul.
“He had his struggles like any other younger individual, but he was getting through them. He was going to be a good father,” Richard said. “This Sunday he had gone to church, easter Sunday and had accepted Jesus Christ back into his life.”
A Gofundme has been set up for the family. You can view it here.