[01-13-2022] Gregg County, TX – Two-Year-Old Child Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash on Texas Highway 149

A child was killed in a fatal two-vehicle crash in Gregg County on Thursday, January 13, 2022.

The accident happened at 4:24 p.m., about three miles southeast of Lakeport, Texas, on Texas Highway 149.

24-year-old Mercedes C. of Longview, Texas, was driving a 2015 Nissan Versa south in the inside lane, according to authorities. She had her turn signal on and was about to turn into the Dollar General parking lot when a 2013 Volkswagen Passat hit her Nissan.

Alan Jasso C., 26, a 7-year-old girl, a 4-year-old girl, a 2-year-old boy, and a 5-month-old boy, all of Longview, were among the passengers in the 24-year-old’s vehicle.

The 4-year-old and 2-year-old were flown to Ochsner LSU in Shreveport with critical injuries. The 2-year-old boy died on January 15 as a result of his injuries.

The 26-year-old and the 5-month-old were taken to Longview’s Christus Good Shepard for treatment. Later, the 5-month-old was flown to Dallas Children’s Hospital.

Hayden M., 21, the driver of the Volkswagen, was charged with three counts of intoxication assault and one count of intoxication manslaughter.

Before being released to investigators, the Tyler, Texas man was taken to Christus Good Shepard for medical clearance.

He is now being held in the Gregg County Jail in Texas, where he was arrested on January 13. His bail is set at $300,000.

The cause of the accident is still being investigated.

Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash Statistics Involving Children

Nearly 91,000 people were injured, and 608 children under the age of 12 were killed in car accidents in the United States in 2019. Most children under 12 who died in car accidents had their seat belts undone.

In the case of a young child, restraints are applied in a different manner. It was estimated that in 2019, only 27% of children between the ages of 4 and 7 were driving without the use of a seat belt. In comparison, 41% of those polled were under the age of 7, and 27% were between the ages of 4 and 8, respectively.

The lives of children can be put at risk if a driver is intoxicated. Alcohol-impaired driving contributed to 23 percent of all child passenger deaths in 2019, with 64 percent of those deaths occurring when the child’s own driver was intoxicated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When it comes to using child restraints, a lot of people have the wrong idea. According to a recent study, 46% of all child safety seats and booster seats are being used incorrectly.

Gregg County Car Accident Lawyer for Victims of Two-Vehicle Crash

As many as 4.5 million people are injured or killed in car accidents in the United States each year. Relatives of those who died in a car accident may struggle to comprehend the magnitude of their loss.

An experienced lawyer can help you better understand your legal options after a tragic accident. Car accident victims should be aware of their legal rights and compensation options in order to avoid being taken advantage of by their insurers.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, an attorney can assist you in obtaining compensation.

Our Gregg County car accident lawyers at Arash Law Texas have successfully recovered compensation on behalf of clients who have been injured in car accidents. Our attorneys are prepared to take on any case and provide our clients with the best possible legal representation.

The best way to protect your legal rights is to hire an attorney as soon as possible. Call (888) 398-4017 for your free consultation with one of our attorneys or fill out our intake form to get started.