Last week we blogged about how Halloween is typically a deadly night for auto and pedestrian accidents. Unfortunately, this proved true this year, as well.
Just across from Galveston, in Port Bolivar, two sixth grade boys were on the way to a Halloween party when they were hit by a pickup truck. Investigators believe that the boys darted out into the street in front of the Toyota Tundra. Both were immediately transported via helicopter to the University of Texas Medical Branch. One of the boys died that evening and the other remained hospitalized, but was listed in stable condition.
In Houston, Halloween weekend was littered with car accidents, including several that resulted in catastrophic injuries and death. On Saturday evening, a driver died after he ran a red light and lost control of his Ford Explorer. The SUV rolled over, partially ejecting the driver. He died at the scene. Law enforcement authorities believe that he might have been drinking.
Early Sunday morning two more individuals died in separate car accidents. In one incident, two passengers were seriously injured and the driver was killed after he lost control of his Cadillac. Accident investigators believe that he had been speeding down West Dallas when he lost control of the vehicle. The Cadillac slammed into two utility poles and flipped, skidding across Montrose Boulevard.
In the other fatal auto accident, a man checking a flat tire on South Shaver St at Wald Road was struck by a hit-and-run driver.
Unfortunately, these incidents are just a sampling of fatal car accidents across the state. Holidays are often a reason to celebrate, and as we enter the holiday season, more people will be attending parties and more people will be drinking. It is important to remember safety first in order to prevent tragic accidents from happening.
Related resources: The Daily News, “Truck hits children Halloween night, one dies,” 11/2/11; Houston Chronicle, “Halloween weekend proves deadly for Houston traffic, alcohol may be to blame,” 10/31/11.