Louisville, Kentucky media report that an adult female, a male youth and a female youth perished when the Hyundai they were passengers in exploded into flames following a car crash. Louisville Metro Police Department says that a Toyota van initially struck the car as it traveled westbound on I-64 on Saturday evening. Then, another car, also a Hyundai, struck the first Hyundai sending it into the concrete barrier separating the lanes of travel.
Next, after the drivers of the Hyundai that crashed into the barrier and the Toyota exited the vehicles and began to converse, the Hyundai caught fire. The three passengers still in the Hyundai died from their injuries.
It is very early into the investigation and details are sparse, but it appears driver error by Toyota van operator may be the initial cause of the accident. However, many questions remain, chiefly including why the Hyundai burst into flames after the crash. A full investigation is necessary to determine whether some type of mechanical failure, shoddy maintenance of defects within the car and its component parts led to the explosion. These types of fires are not supposed to happen. The friends and family of the victims will undoubtedly want answers to these questions.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the injured, deceased and their friends and families. This sounds like a truly horrific and tragic wreck.
***UPDATE***
The victims have now been identified as Lauren Owens, Samantha Owens and Liam Owens. Lauren and Samantha were sisters and Liam was Samantha’s newborn son. They lived in Clarksville, Indiana. Lauren was in the 4th grade at Clarksville Elementary. A GoFundMe page has been established to help with the expenses of the family.
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