A head-on collision Friday night, July 31, on U.S. 90 east of Ames claimed the life of one woman and left five others injured, including two infants and a toddler.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. on U.S. 90 west of FM 1909, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to Sgt. Rob Willoughby, supervisor for the Liberty County office of the Texas Department of Public Safety, preliminary information indicates that a 2016 Kia SUV was traveling westbound on U.S. 90 behind a 2016 Nissan SUV when the Kia attempted to pass. DPS said the Kia entered the eastbound lane with insufficient clearance and collided head-on with an eastbound 2023 Kia SUV.
After the initial impact, the westbound Kia struck the left side of the Nissan before spinning and coming to rest facing east on the westbound shoulder. The eastbound Kia came to rest facing south in the eastbound lanes, while the Nissan left the roadway and came to rest facing west in the westbound ditch.
Both Kia SUVs caught fire following the collision. The eastbound Kia was destroyed by the fire, while the westbound Kia sustained extensive fire damage but did not burn completely.
Willoughby said there was entrapment at the scene, but several bystanders rushed to help and were able to pull occupants from the vehicles before emergency crews arrived.
The driver of the westbound Kia, Stormy King, 27, of Houston, was transported to HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood. Her condition has not been released.
Also in King’s vehicle were her 1-year-old child and 1-month-old child. Both were transported to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston for treatment.
The driver of the eastbound Kia, a 62-year-old woman from Vidor, was pronounced dead at the scene. Bluebonnet News is withholding her identity overnight to allow family members additional time to be notified.
The driver of the Nissan, Danielle Scott, 33, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, was transported to Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital. Her 2-year-old child was also transported to the same hospital.
Willoughby said the contributing factors in the crash, including whether alcohol played a role, remain under investigation.
The crash was investigated by Trooper Grant Nichol with assistance from Sgt. Willoughby, Trooper Jon Ramseur, Trooper Levi Wilcox and Trooper Thomas Thurston of the DPS Crash Team in Conroe.