A trucking accident in West Texas has left five people dead, three of whom were children. The deadly collision occurred between a Volkswagen Beetle and a dump truck roughly five miles north of Midland last Sunday.

The driver of the sub-compact car was identified by the Texas Department of Public Safety to be the grandmother of the three children passengers in the vehicle, ages 8, 3 and 2. The police report indicates the car containing the grandmother and grandchildren hit the dump truck head-on. All of those in the car were killed immediately after the trucking accident.

The driver of the dump truck was also killed as a result of the accident, but police believe his death was the result of a fire that started in his vehicle after the crash. Reports indicate the driver had been able to call and speak with his wife from inside the truck after the accident, but was apparently unable to exit the vehicle as it became engulfed in flames.

Though the investigation into the crash remained open days after the incident, preliminary reports suggest the driver of the car crossed over the center line before hitting the oncoming dump truck. Conflicting accounts were reported by the news media as to whether those killed were wearing seatbelts at the time of the truck accident. Weather or road conditions are not considered to have been factors, as road conditions were dry and visibility was clear at the time of the accident Sunday afternoon.

Sources: LubbockOnline "Head-on collision kills five in Andrews County" by Alyssa Dizon, Avalanche-Journal 2/8/11