Five Members of Texas Family Killed in Crash En Route to Disney World

A crash just west of Calhoun claims the lives of five family members from Texas, who were on their way to Walt Disney World in Florida.

According to Louisiana State Police Troop F in Monroe, a 16-year-old was driving a Chevy Tahoe east on I-20, when the SUV ran off the road and into the median. The teen overcorrected and the vehicle rolled, ejecting six of the eight occupants.

Five passengers, three children aged 4, 7 and 15, and two adults, Michael and Trudi Hardman of Terrell, Texas, were all pronounced dead at the scene. None of them were wearing seat belts.

The 16-year-old and the other two occupants were taken to area hospitals with minor to moderate injuries. Troopers believe the driver may have fallen asleep behind the wheel. Impairment is not suspected, but a toxicology sample has been submitted, as required by law. The crash is still under investigation.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to all of the people affected by this tragic crash," said Louisiana State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson in a Troop F news release. "Crashes like this one don’t just affect the people involved. They affect family members, friends, Troopers, first responders and the community at large. In an instance this family vacation turned into an unspeakable tragedy. I cannot stress enough the importance of wearing a seatbelt anytime you are in a vehicle."