New details confirmed that the two toddlers ejected from a vehicle during a rollover crash were not wear not safely secured, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
The HCSO deputies responded to the crash scene on Sunday at 7 p.m. on the East Freeway at Freeport in Harris County. The crash involved two vehicles, one of which flipped over multiple times, leading to the ejection of the children.
Shocking video footage captured the aftermath, showing the toddlers, dressed only in diapers, stranded on the freeway. Two bystanders quickly rushed to remove them from harm’s way.
What happened
A man was driving a white Chrysler 200 sedan in the exit lane to the service road, with a 38-year-old woman as a front-seat passenger. At the same time, a 25-year-old man who was driving a grey Jeep Wrangler with two child passengers, ages 1 and 4. Both children were not secured by a child safety seat or seatbelt.
Investigators said the Jeep Wrangler was traveling eastbound in the lane to the left of the white Chrysler. The crash happened when the white Chrysler changed lanes when it was unsafe, turning left into the lane of the Jeep Wrangler, causing the collision.
Deputies said the impact caused the Jeep Wrangler to overturn, resulting in both children being ejected from the vehicle onto the roadway.
The father, who was driving, along with the two children, were taken to the hospital with non-fatal injuries and expected to survive. The driver of the other vehicle involved was not injured.
As of Wednesday morning, the father could potentially face criminal charges due to the violation of state law, which mandates that young children must be secured in car seats, but no charges have been filed at this time.
The freeway has since been reopened, but the cause of the accident remains under investigation.
@HCSOTexas deputies responded to a major crash on the main lanes of the East Freeway at Freeport. A two-car crash where one of the cars flipped over several times causing ejection. The car was occupied by one adult and two children. They are being
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) August 12, 2024
1/2 pic.twitter.com/5U5ibhQDZI
transported to a hospital. No reported injuries to the occupants in the other car.
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) August 12, 2024
The e/b (outbound) main lanes are currently shut down to one lane. The e/b service road at Freeport is shut down.
2/2 #HouNews