A 12-year-old girl died and her mother was injured Thursday morning after a bridge partially collapsed onto their car near Houston. [[385889231,C]]
Police say a tractor trailer crashed into an bridge in Sealy, causing it to collapse.
Investigators told Houston NBC affiliate KPRC that at about 10 a.m., a Texas Disposal Services truck was traveling Highway 36 when the boom attached to the truck hit the overpass on Highway 90.
Rubble from the crash fell on top of a car where a mother and her two children were inside, according to police.
Girl Killed in Bridge Collapse Near Houston
The front part of the vehicle was crushed, and the girl sitting in the front seat died, police said. The other child, a boy, was able to escape from the back seat of the car.
Police say the mother was transported to a hospital. The condition of the mother and the boy is unknown.
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Sealy Police Chief Chris Noble said there was a warning system in place to alert trucks of the height of the bridge.
"There is a wire that is suspended across the street with metal tubes or cylinders that hang down," Noble said. "There's a huge sign that says if you hit this, you are going to hit the bridge."
Authorities say the truck driver, who was also taken to the hospital, is not facing any charges at this time.
Stacy Schmitt, Director of Communications for Texas Disposal Systems released the following statement:
“We regret a TDS truck was involved in an incident impacting an overpass in Sealy, TX. We have been told there was a fatality and are saddened by the loss resulting from this incident. Our deepest sympathies go to the family members and friends. An investigation is currently underway by local authorities. TDS is cooperating fully and will also be conducting its own investigation. The truck driver, as reported to us, did not sustain major injuries. We will be in communication with the community and public as relevant information becomes available.“
NBC 5's Holley Ford contributed to this report.
