Chambers County, TX (May 5, 2026) – Two people were critically injured, and a child was also hurt after a multi-vehicle crash involving an SUV, an emergency vehicle, and a passenger car on Interstate 10 westbound near mile marker 814. The collision occurred around 5:15 a.m. on Sunday.
Emergency units responded to the scene and found a Hyundai Kona that had struck the rear of a parked emergency vehicle positioned partially in the outside lane and shoulder with its lights activated. After the initial impact, the SUV veered off and struck a Mercedes-Benz traveling in an adjacent lane, causing it to overturn.
The driver of the Hyundai, a 38-year-old woman from Florida, and a 7-year-old passenger were transported to a Houston hospital with life-threatening injuries. An 11-year-old passenger was also taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The Mercedes-Benz overturned during the collision sequence, while the emergency vehicle had no occupants inside at the time. Traffic was affected as crews worked to clear the scene and assist those involved.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
Our thoughts are with those injured as they receive medical care.
What Factors Can Contribute to Multi-Vehicle Highway Crashes Involving Stationary Vehicles?
Crashes involving stationary vehicles on highways often occur when moving traffic fails to detect hazards ahead in time. High speeds reduce reaction time, especially when an object is partially in a travel lane.
Visibility conditions also play a role, including lighting, weather, and roadway curves. When a vehicle or emergency unit is stopped on the shoulder or at the edge of a lane, approaching drivers must quickly adjust. Texas passed its Move Over or Slow Down law in direct response to the state frequently recording the highest number of work zone fatalities in the country, and the law was expanded to cover additional public service vehicles, with enforcement increasing across the state heading into 2026.
Chain-reaction impacts can happen when a struck vehicle is pushed into another lane or object, increasing the number of vehicles involved within seconds. Nationally, more than 60 emergency responders are killed each year by drivers who fail to slow down or move over, and Texas officials continue to cite these incidents as a persistent concern on high-speed corridors across the state.
