2 killed in crash near Jefferson Texas

A man and woman were killed in a crash that shut down Interstate 10 westbound near Beaumont early Wednesday, KFDM reported.Officials said the driver of a 2013 Toyota sedan crashed into the back of an 18-wheeler carrying concrete powder around 4:30 a.m. It happened near Smith Road in Jefferson County, closing the interstate’s westbound lanes for several hours.

A man and woman who were passengers in the Toyota died at the scene. The man who was driving the car was taken to Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth to undergo surgery.Investigators haven’t yet released the names of the victims, but troopers told KFDM the driver of the Toyota was a 21-year-old man from San Antonio. They believe he fell asleep at the wheel, causing him to crash into the truck. They said alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the accident.

A 24-year-old woman from Austin and a 57-year-old man from San Antonio were the ones who died in the crash.The driver of the big rig is a 57-year-old man from the Houston area. He’s under observation at the hospital.