According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a baby girl from California was killed in a two-vehicle crash in East Texas, and a second toddler is in critical condition on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.
The collision occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Interstate 20 in Canton
According to a DPS report, San Francisco native Chassity G., 22, was driving westbound on I-20 in Canton in front of an 18-wheeler.
The 18-wheeler failed to slow down and collided with Gantt’s Ford Escape from behind. There were three other passengers in the car, all from California: Katanni S., 22, a Fresno native, a 2-year-old Fresno girl, and a 1-year-old Fresno girl.
The 1-year-old was taken to a Dallas children’s hospital, where she died later.
The two-year-old is still in critical condition at the hospital. The report did not mention their names.
Senegal was taken to a hospital in Tyler with non-incapacitating injuries, while Gantt was treated and released at the scene.
Robert S., 55, a native of Giddings, Texas, was identified as the 18-wheeler’s driver. He was not hurt in the accident.
According to the report, it is unknown what caused him to collide with the back of Gantt’s vehicle.
Statistics of Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash Involving Children
In 2019, car accidents in the United States injured or killed nearly 91,000 people, including 608 children under the age of 12. All but a small percentage of children under the age of 12 who died in car accidents were unbuckled.
Restraints are used in a different way on a young child. Only 27% of children between the ages of 4 and 7 were found to be driving without a seat belt in 2019. To put that into perspective, 41% of those surveyed were under the age of 7, and 27% were between the ages of 4 and 8 years old.
If a driver is intoxicated, the lives of children are at risk. It was found that alcohol-impaired driving was responsible for 23 percent of all fatalities involving child passengers in 2019, with 64 percent occurring when the child’s own driver was impaired.
Using child restraints incorrectly is a common misconception. According to a recent study, 46 percent of all child safety seats and booster seats are being used incorrectly.
Van Zandt County Car Accident Lawyer for Victims of Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash
It is estimated that up to 4 million people die or suffer serious injuries due to automobile collisions in the United States each year. They may find it difficult to comprehend how much their loved ones have been taken away from them.
After a tragic accident, an experienced lawyer can help you better understand your legal options. Be aware of your legal rights and compensation options so that your insurer does not take advantage of you.
An attorney can help you get compensated if you find yourself in a similar situation.
Our Van Zandt County car accident lawyers at Arash Law Texas have recovered compensation for injured clients involved in car accidents. There is no case too big or too small for our lawyers, and they are always ready to put their clients’ interests first.
Hiring an attorney as soon as possible is the best way to ensure that your legal rights are protected. For a free consultation with one of our attorneys, call (888) 398-4017 or complete our intake form.