Five people are dead and several others have been injured after an accident involving a church van on their way to church services and a pickup truck.
Authorities indicate that the van was carrying approximately 16 people when it was struck by a pickup truck that crossed the center lane and into the path of the van. Police investigators say that the driver of the church van had no time to react in order to avoid the accident. Before striking the church van, the truck had also truck another vehicle.
The impact killed the driver of the pickup truck as well as an elderly couple and a six-year-old girl. A woman who was in her last trimester of pregnancy also lost her baby in the accident.
Fourteen people, five of them children, were injured in the crash. The children are being treated at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington. Two of the children are listed in critical condition. The eight adults who survived the crash are being treated at Medstar Washington Hospital
Area residents describe hearing a loud boom at the time of the fiery crash. County authorities say that the crash was the worst that the county has seen in years.
Investigators are unsure whether the passengers in the van were all wearing seatbelts or if the children, one a 6-month-old baby, had been properly secured in child safety restraints.
The accident is still currently under investigation and investigators have not yet determined if the pickup truck driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Police say that the final results of the investigation may not be known for months.
While investigators try to piece together just how this accident was caused, those that survived the crash and the families of all involved are reeling from the tragedy. When such a tragic accident happens, the pain left in the aftermath takes far longer to heal.
If you or a loved one has been injured or tragically lost their lives in an accident, call the offices of Howell Law for your free consultation. We have over 30 years of combined legal experience doing what we do best. Our specialty is in representing people who have been seriously injured in the Charleston area with the dedication and knowledge to help you win your case. At Howell & Law, we understand liability and personal injury law. Call us today for a free consultation and legal analysis.