A Texas family is mourning an unimaginable loss after a late-night highway crash in Kaufman County claimed the lives of a mother and her two young daughters.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the victims were identified as 38-year-old Vanecia Deshun Williams, her 14-year-old daughter Sa’niah, and 9-year-old daughter A’veonia. All three pᴀssed away at the scene following the collision.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:35 p.m. Sunday on the eastbound lanes of U.S. Highway 80, east of Windmill Farms Boulevard between Forney and Terrell.

Preliminary investigators said the family’s 2013 Hyundai had become disabled in the right lane of the highway. An eastbound 18-wheeler was unable to avoid the stalled vehicle and struck it from behind.

The powerful impact pushed the Hyundai over a concrete bridge barrier, sending it into the area below. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.

Authorities closed the eastbound lanes of U.S. 80 for about seven and a half hours overnight while emergency crews responded and removed the wreckage.

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Following the incident, Texas DPS Sgt. Juan Gutierrez reminded drivers of the importance of staying safe if their vehicle becomes disabled.

“If your vehicle is disabled, turn on your hazard lights and get completely off the roadway if possible. If you can safely move the vehicle, do so. Then get yourself and your pᴀssengers away from traffic.”
As loved ones struggle to cope with the heartbreaking loss, family members described Vanecia and her daughters as the heart of their close-knit family.

“They were the glue that held our family together,” cousin Celissa Williams shared. “They were our first grandchildren, our first daughters, and they taught us how to love, how to be mothers, and how to support one another.”

Family matriarch Vanessa Williams said their faith is helping them through the tragedy.

“We believe in God. She was a true believer, and we know God is taking care of her,” she said.

Even with that faith, relatives acknowledge that life will never feel the same.

“It’s not going to be the same,” Celissa said. “No holidays, no birthdays. It just won’t be the same without them.”

Source: FOX 4