DeKALB, Texas - A major car accident Wednesday that took the lives of two children, ages 3 and 7, may have been intentionally caused, Bowie County District Attorney Jerry Rochelle said.
The collision occurred Wednesday after dark.
Rochelle said DeKalb police, the Texas Department of Public Safety and other local agencies are investigating whether a driver intentionally swerved into oncoming traffic, striking the vehicle occupied by four children and two adults, including the two fatalities.
"A number of local agencies are chipping in to make sure no stone is unturned," Rochelle said.
Rochelle declined to release the name of the suspect driver though he said that individual is currently receiving medical treatment. Rochelle said the suspect driver was the lone occupant of the vehicle that struck the family's car.
"I am not making any statements on what an underlying offense may be other than to say if one was committed we'll use the full resources of the state of Texas to insure there is justice," Rochelle said.
Officials with the DeKalb Police Department could not be reached for comment.
DeKalb Independent School District posted the following update on Facebook regarding the incident:
"Our hearts are heavy this morning, as we were notified of the deaths of two DeKalb Elementary students, ages 7 and 3. These deaths followed a tragic motor vehicle accident Wednesday night. Please be in prayer for the family and friends of those involved and the DeKalb ISD staff who are mourning the loss of their students."
Superintendent Dr. John Booth said the district could not give names of the children who died, but said they were affiliated with DeKalb Elementary in a limited capacity.
"They are ours," Booth said. "They were homeschooled. We did have services we provided them, but they were basically homeschooled. The 3-year-old was not a student, but the 7-year-old was. We did provide some services, but not in a full-time capacity."
Booth said the district has not yet decided on if or when a vigil will be held, as friends and family are still in the early parts of processing this event.
"We have to see how we're going to react and see where we're going with it," he said. "It happened in the middle of the night. We really didn't come to light with it until we had gotten here. The parents are really in shock right now."
There were four children in the accident. Two of them survived, along with both parents.
Booth said the elementary school has begun taking donations for the grieving family.
"Those at the elementary have a big heart for their kids," he said. "So, they've started taking up donations to give to the family. If somebody would like to donate, our elementary will be taking up donations to give to the family. Of course, by no stretch of the imagination is that going to heal them, but they will need some