A Texas family's outing turned tragic when five children travelling in an overloaded car were killed on their way to a water park Monday — and now the driver could be charged for negligence, authorities said.
The 2003 GMC Envoy was en route to Splash Kingdom in Canton, Texas, when a tire blew on Interstate 20. Traveling in the vehicle were 12 people, including nine children, all from the city of Marshall, according to the state Department of Public Safety.
The driver, 36-year-old Federico Acuna, and a 15-year-old girl were the only two wearing seat belts — and the only two not hurt in the crash, said DPS Trooper Jean Dark.
Acuna lost control of the SUV just before 2:15 p.m., and it ended up rolling over several times before coming to rest on its top, Dark said. Ten passengers were thrown from the vehicle, their belongings left strewn across the side of the highway following the accident.
The five children who perished in the wreck were identified as: Rosvaelia Jaimes, 13; Omar Jaimes, 7; Saideth Acuna, 6; Ulisa Acuna, 3; and Urit Jaimes, 2.
All were either siblings or cousins.
Acuna's wife, Estella Torres, 34, and her sister, Elita Torres, 24, were also injured and reportedly in critical condition Tuesday.
Another 9-year-old child was hospitalized and in stable condition.
Acuna could face charges in the five deaths, authorities said.
"The investigation is not complete, but potential criminal charges are being investigated to include five counts of criminal negligent homicide," Dark told the Tyler Morning Telegraph. "It is against the law to not have children restrained and it doesn't matter if a tire blew or not. The fact is they were not properly restrained."
Family members, meanwhile, are preparing the wakes — and eventual burials — for the children whose lives were cut short.
"To have five children taken from this family at one time is almost too much to bear," Brenda Marion told the Morning Telegraph about the deaths of her cousins. "We are trying to hold each other up, but it is so very hard."
A prayer vigil was held Tuesday night for the young victims.
"These were like my children," said an aunt, according to CBS affiliate KSLA. "I was always with the children ... Please pray for the angels who have left us."
With News Wire Services
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