Fatal multi-vehicle wreck shuts down 290 at Grand Parkway

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- At least one child is dead and several other people injured in a horrific multi-vehicle wreck in far northwest Harris County Friday evening.

It happened around 5:40pm on the inbound lanes of Highway 290 at the Grand Parkway. We're told the wreck involved an 18-wheeler and three other vehicles.

Authorities say a boy was pronounced dead at the scene, and several other people were being transported to area hospitals.

The child's body is still inside of the Kia Optima that was crushed by an 18-wheeler. Investigators have been waiting for the medical examiner to remove the body for hours now.

Investigators say the driver of that 18-wheeler is cooperating and is distraught. According to a trooper on scene, that truck driver was distracted by something in his truck, didn't have a chance to hit his breaks and slammed into the back of that Kia.

The boy's mother and sister were also in the car. They were transported by LifeFlight to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Their condition is not known at the time, but the father is by their side.

The crash caused a chain reaction. The Kia hit a Ford F-150, which then hit a Toyota Camry. Those drivers were also transported to the hospital.

Here's what DPS Trooper Richard Standifar told us about the condition of that Kia.

"The back seat and the back trunk area is pushed up to the back of the driver and passenger seat window. So that child, whoever was riding in that back seat, didn't have a chance," he said.

Troopers say the deceased boy is between eight and 10 years old. His mother and sister's names and ages have not yet been released.

The truck driver will be given a blood test. No charges have been filed against him at this time.