Three kids, their parents killed in I-20 accident

On Wednesday, at 10:46 p.m., Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop F in Monroe responded to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate Highway 20 just west of Calhoun that claimed the lives of five family members from Texas. The family was traveling from Texas to Walt Disney World in Florida for a family vacation.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by a 16-year-old juvenile, was traveling east on Interstate 20 when the vehicle ran off the road to the left into the median. After entering the median, the driver overcorrected and the vehicle began to rollover. As the vehicle was rolling over, six of the eight occupants were ejected. Five passengers were pronounced dead at the scene by the Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office.
The dead include three children, ages 4, 7, and 15, as well as 2 adults, Michael and Trudi Hardman of Terrell, Texas. The 16-year-old driver, who was properly restrained, was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Two additional passengers were taken to local hospitals with moderate injuries. None of the ejected passengers were wearing a seatbelt.
Troopers suspect the driver may have fallen asleep prior to the crash. Although impairment is not suspected, a toxicology sample was obtained from the driver and will be submitted for analysis as required by law. The crash remains under investigation.