Magnolia Student Involved in Fatal Accident En Route to School

A teenager was killed Thursday when her vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer in  southwest Montgomery County.

Weather May Have Been a Factor

According to KHOU, the accident occurred on FM 149 near Mitchell at around 7:15.

DPS reports that 18-year-old Darian Eckhardt lost control of her car and veered into oncoming traffic where she was struck by an 18-wheeler. Eckhardt was pronounced dead at the scene.

There was heavy rain at the time of the crash, and deputies believe the weather may have been a factor in the crash; however, the incident remains under investigation.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the accident. Magnolia ISD has requested additional counselors to support students, faculty, and staff.

Texas Auto Accident Statistics

The following information was provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):

• 3,531 people were killed in traffic accidents in Texas in 2015, marking little change from the 3,536 deaths reported in 2014.
• Head-on collisions claimed 581 lives in 2015, and 1,925 people were killed in collisions that occurred along rural stretches of road.
• An additional 246,335 people were injured in traffic accidents in 2015.