Lindale Woman, 3 Kids Killed in I-20 Wreck

MESQUITE (AP) – Investigators say a fiery wrong-way accident on Interstate Highway 20 near Dallas has killed three children and both drivers. Mesquite police say I-20 reopened early Thursday a few hours after a truck going the wrong direction slammed into an SUV. Mesquite police Lt. David Gill says the pickup was driven by Krystle Carranza, 27, from Lindale. Gill says the woman’s three daughters also died in the wreck. The youngster’s names and ages were not immediately released. Gill says the name of the man driving the SUV also has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. All five victims were dead at the scene. A Department of Public Safety trooper spotted the pickup going the wrong way and attempted to stop the vehicle just before the accident late Wednesday.

One of the children killed attended Lindale ISD’s Early Childhood Center; the other two were pre-school children. A statement from LISD reads, “The faculty and staff of the Lindale Independent School district are stunned and greatly saddened by the passing of one our Early Childhood Center students as the result of an automobile accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all of the victims of this tragic event.”

Early Childhood Center Principal Dana Sustaire added Thursday, “We met as a campus this morning to discuss our emotions during this difficult time. We will reach out to the family and support them in any way possible.” The statement says though school is out for the year, faculty members are working and counselors are available to assist Early Childhood Center staff members as they cope with the student’s death.