A Child Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash on FM 2214 Near Desdemona

A two-vehicle crash Saturday night at 10:26 p.m. on FM 2214 leaves a 10-year-old girl dead and a woman fighting for her life, said a Department of Public Safety press release Monday.

According to the release, the driver of a 2003 International Truck tractor pulling a trailer, Jose A. Medina-Servantes, 36, of Lencorette, Louisiana, was traveling north on FM 2214 while the driver of a 2009 Ford passenger car, Melissa Carol Whitt, 42, of Desdemona, Texas, traveled south. Medina-Servantes traveled into the southbound lane striking Whitt’s vehicle on the left front.

As a result, a passenger in Whitt’s vehicle, Olivia Eusta Whitt, 10, of Desdemona, succumbed to her injuries at Eastland Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead by Judge D.J. Walker. Her body was transported to Edwards Funeral Home in Eastland, stated DPS.

Additionally, Melissa Whitt was transported to JPS Ft. Worth with critical and incapacitating injuries. Another passenger, Buddy Joe Whitt, 39, of Desdemona, suffered non-incapacitating injuries and was transported to Eastland Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released.

Medina-Servantes, the driver of the truck tractor, suffered no injuries in the crash.

Both drivers and the passengers wore seatbelts, and road conditions were reported as clear/cloudy and dry. The crash remains under investigation.

Frederick Biddle, public information officer for DPS, stated, “There have been a couple of head-on crashes recently while on open roads and with good road conditions. Although the cause of recent crashes are under investigation and still unknown, I’d like to remind travelers to pay close attention when driving. With the added holiday traffic, give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going and limit distractions in your vehicle. Scan the road ahead and treat every vehicle as a potential danger. Please travel safely.