By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
Authorities say three members of one Tarkington family – Mark Henson, 57, his daughter, Jesse Henson, 16, and granddaughter, Lily Protain, 4 – were killed Wednesday night around 6:56 p.m. in a two-vehicle head-on collision on FM 163 south of CR 2282 in Tarkington.
According to Sgt. Rob Willoughby, five members of the Henson family were traveling northbound in a Dodge Avenger driven by Brianna Henson, 24. At that same time, a southbound Chevy Tahoe, driven by a Tarkington man, George Woodrome, 82, was traveling along the roadway. Both vehicles collided, causing extensive damage to the passenger sides.
The front-seat passenger in the Avenger, Mark Henson, and the driver’s teenage sister, Jesse, riding in the backseat, were killed in the crash. The driver’s daughter, Lily, suffered grievous injuries and died after being airlifted to Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston. Jordan Henson, 16, also a sister to the driver, was also seriously injured and was airlifted to Hermann Memorial. She is in critical condition.
Both drivers were taken by ground ambulance to Conroe Regional Medical Center with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace Wade Brown made the pronouncement of death at the scene.
Tarkington and Cleveland fire departments assisted troopers in evacuating patients and diverting traffic. Smith Towing and Neal Funeral Home were also on the scene.
UPDATED: According to Sgt. Willoughby, as of Jan. 25, 2 p.m., Jordan Henson remains in critical condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.
