4 dead, 2-year-old critically injured in head-on crash found not wearing seat belts, officials say

FLINT, Texas (KLTV/Gray News) - Four people have died and a toddler is in critical condition after a head-on crash in Texas.

Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Adam Albritton says the collision occurred on Highway 155 when a Toyota Highlander crossed over the centerline for unknown reasons and into oncoming traffic.

The Toyota ended up hitting a Cadillac SUV head-on that was occupied by three adults and a 2-year-old child.

All of the adults in the vehicles were pronounced dead on the highway.

“It’s a tragic scene,” Albritton said. “Anytime one person dies, it’s tragic. But when we have multiple fatalities, it’s never any good.”

The toddler was taken to an East Texas hospital with trauma injuries before being flown to a Dallas hospital in critical condition, officials said.

None of the five people involved, including the child, were properly restrained or wearing seat belts, Albritton noted.

“You’re 51 percent more likely to survive a crash by wearing your seat belt. You know, had they had their seat belt on, we don’t know what the outcome would have been. And it’s super tragic that the 2-year-old was not restrained in any way,” Albritton said.

Traffic was shut down in all directions for the on-scene investigation and emergency response.

Those who died were not immediately identified by authorities. Investigators said what may have caused the crash remains under investigation.