HUNTSVILLE, TX – A tragic multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 45 claimed the life of 64-year-old Mary Louise Sargent, a beloved resident of Montgomery, Texas, on Sunday evening. The fatal collision occurred near State Highway 30 and involved several vehicles, including an 18-wheeler and a pickup truck towing a trailer.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Sargent was traveling southbound in a Kia passenger vehicle when it was struck from behind by a semi-truck. The force of the collision launched Sargent’s Kia forward, where it was violently wedged onto the left side of a trailer being towed by a Chevrolet 2500 pickup. The trailer, which was hauling a mini-excavator, was destabilized by the impact—dislodging the equipment.
The Kia then struck the pickup truck, severely damaging the vehicle’s tailgate and crushing its roof before flipping and coming to rest upside down. First responders from the Huntsville Fire Department rushed to the scene and worked to extricate Sargent from the wreckage. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sargent’s granddaughter, who was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash, suffered critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Her condition remains unknown at this time.
The 18-wheeler involved in the crash continued traveling south for approximately half a mile before coming to a stop. Authorities reported the truck sustained extensive front-end damage, and its chrome cattle guard was torn off due to the collision.
The shocking incident has left family, friends, and the Montgomery community in mourning. Mary Louise Sargent is remembered as a loving grandmother and caring presence whose life was cut short in an unimaginable way.
The DPS is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash, including whether speed, distraction, or driver fatigue may have played a role. No charges have been announced as of yet.
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that large commercial vehicles can pose on busy highways and the need for heightened caution from all drivers.