4 KILLED, INCLUDING 2 CHILDREN, IN WRONG-WAY CRASH ON I-45

WILMER – Four people were killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 45 southeast of Dallas on Sunday night, police said. Wilmer police reported a woman, identified as Francisca Fuentes, was driving a minivan northbound in the southbound lanes of the interstate when she hit an SUV head-on.

Fuentes and her two children, ages four and one died.

The driver of the SUV, identified as Michael Coyne, also died.

Two teenage passengers in the vehicle survived but were hospitalized with serious injuries.

A teacher and coach with Palestine ISD, Coyne had taken two students to see the Dallas Maverick’s playoff basketball game Sunday night. The three were returning home when they were hit.

According to a district spokeswoman, the two students lost a loved one in a crash just two weeks ago and the trip to see the Mavs game was meant to lift their spirits.

“Both students now have a very, very long road ahead of them,” said Palestine ISD district spokeswoman Larissa Loveless.

Coach Coyne leaves behind a wife and one-year-old daughter.

Monday morning, police were still investigating what led to the crash, which happened around 11:45 p.m.

Wilmer police officials said they got a call from Ferris police at 11:43 p.m. about a wrong-way crash on I-45, just south of Mars Road.

A driver was reportedly going north in the southbound lanes and struck another vehicle head-on.

Wilmer police got to the scene a few minutes later.

Police said there was a woman and two juveniles in the wrong-way vehicle, and all three had died at the scene. A man driving the other vehicle was also killed.

The man’s vehicle also had two juveniles who were taken to a hospital, police said. The juveniles were expected to recover. The names and ages of the victims have not been released.

Two other vehicles were “clipped” in the crash, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety, but no other injuries were reported.

Wilmer police said the investigation into the crash is ongoing, and they’re working to determine if alcohol or drugs played a role in Fuentes going the wrong-way.

More information about the crash was not immediately available Monday morning.