6 Killed, 3 Hospitalized Following Head-On Crash on Texas Highway: 'A Devastating Scene'
“Please say a prayer for the families of the deceased and injured," the sheriff's office said
Six people were killed and three others were injured after a deadly collision along U.S. Highway 67 in Texas on Tuesday, authorities said.
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office shared in a Facebook post that it received a 911 call about a “head on collision” that caused “several injuries and road blockage.” After authorities arrived on the scene, they reported six fatalities, and emergency medical services used three aircrafts to “transport patients to the hospital.”
As a result of the crash, deputies shut down U.S. Highway 67 “in both directions for several hours” while they examined the crime scene, according to the sheriff’s office report. Authorities, the medical examiner and the Texas Department of Transportation were all on the scene to determine what happened.
The sheriff’s office issued an alert on social media warning people to “avoid” Highway 67 due to a “multiple fatality accident” shortly after it happened at around 5:30 p.m. local time.
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“Please say a prayer for the families of the deceased and injured,” the Johnson County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
“Also, please pray for our Deputies, Troopers and all other first responders working this accident,” the department added. “It’s a devastating scene and very emotional for all involved.”
The Texas Department of Public Safety and Johnson County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PEOPLE.
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The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed to NBC affiliate KXAS-TV that the head-on collision involved two cars, and there were six fatalities and three people injured at the scene. The three people were airlifted to John Peter Smith Hospital and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, per the outlet.
A Texas DPS spokesperson told The Dallas Morning News that children were likely involved in the crash, but it was unclear whether they were among those killed. According to the paper, the six people were in the same car. Authorities have not yet identified the people who died in the crash.
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A video captured by KXAS-TV showed two cars, a white pick-up truck and a gray minivan, both on the edge of the roadway side by side with the front and windshield of both cars heavily damaged.
Texas DPS said it was investigating the crash. Authorities did not give any additional information about how the crash may have occurred.
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