Two adults and three children from East Texas were killed when their SUV crashed in Northeast LA.
The vehicle was driven by a 16-year-old who likely fell asleep at the wheel just before 11 p.m. Wednesday on Interstate 20 near Calhoun, state police spokesman Michael Reichardt said. The driver and two other passengers suffered minor injuries.
The adults killed were identified as Michael and Trudi Hardman of Terrell, Texas. The children killed were ages 4, 7 and 15. None of those killed wore seat belts but the driver did, officials said.
Troopers say six of the eight people in the SUV were thrown from the vehicle. Ouachita Parish coroners pronounced the five family members dead on the scene.
‘‘Our heartfelt condolences go out to all of the people affected by this tragic crash,’’ said Col. Mike Edmonson, the Louisiana State Police superintendent. ‘‘In an instance this family vacation turned into an unspeakable tragedy.’’
