Houston Police Department

October 31, 2005 -- Houston police are completing their investigation into a deadly traffic accident that claimed the lives of four people that occurred on Monday, October 31, 2005 in the 17300 block of the Tomball Parkway at around 10 a.m.

Witnesses told HPD Traffic and Mobility Incident investigators that a white passenger van (with Virginia plates) was headed northbound when a tire on the van blew out. The driver of the van was attempting to move over to the right lane when he was struck in the rear by a cement truck. There were six senior citizens ranging in age from 69 to 80 years old plus the driver, in the van at the time of the accident.

Three persons in the van died at the scene, a fourth died at Memorial Hermann Hospital after being Life Flighted. Two others were transported to Ben Taub General Hospital and one taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital with undetermined injuries. The driver of the cement truck was not injured and at this time will not be shown at fault for the accident. HPD Truck Enforcement officers will examine the cement truck to determine if there was any faulty equipment that may have contributed to the accident.

The SIMTEX Cement Company owns the cement truck. The van was en route to an event in Tomball for Special Care Patients.

This investigation is on going. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Houston Police Department Traffic and Mobility Incident Division at 713-247-4072

AW / RMM 10-31-05
Inc # 16549005

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.