At Least One Fatality in Multi-Vehicle Crash on U.S. 67 South, Mertzon Highway

UPDATE: 10:30 P.M.

Home Motors is on the scene removing vehicles and DPS has opened one lane of US 67, and are allowing motorists to pass by alternating lanes.

DPS Trooper Jessica Springer is in charge of the investigation.

DPS official said six vehicles were involved in the accident and authorities are working to make sure all parties to the crash have been interviewed.

Preliminary reports indicate there are at least two fatalities, but that has not been confirmed as yet.

UPDATE 11:06 P.M.

The investigation will last into the early morning. Most of the early traffic we saw at the scene diverted through the Arden Road route, so the number of cars waiting to pass has been reduced considerably.

From interviews with witnesses, and all unconfirmed with authorities, the cause of the crash appears to center upon the black Honda Civic and the hatchback or SUV that was crushed under the semi and sand trailer. I don't think the crushed vehicle was a pickup.

Witnesses at the scene said that there were two occupants in each the Civic and the crushed vehicle. Both occupants of the crushed vehicle are likely fatalities. The driver of the Civic, a 20-something male, was arrested by Irion County Sheriff's Deputies and transported presumably to the Irion County Jail. The passenger of the Civic, a young 20-something female was sent to the hospital with non-incapacitating injuries. The semi truck driver was seen earlier walking around the scene, but has since been taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

There is a second semi truck and sand trailer that was involved in the crash. The truck remained on the road, has little to no damage, and the driver is at the scene uninjured.

The Civic and the now-crushed vehicle were eastbound and traveling at a high rate of speed, said witnesses.