Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says the crash happened at 7601 E. Sam Houston Parkway near the Crosby Freeway.
Witnesses at the scene tell authorities the driver of a four-door sedan was headed eastbound on the East Beltway when she ran a red light. An 18-wheeler was traveling northbound on the service road when it hit the car.
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The child in the sedan was thrown during the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Gonzalez, there was a child safety seat in the backseat but it does not appear the child was in the seat itself.
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Authorities say the driver of the sedan is the mother of both kids in the car.
The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured.
The crash remains under investigation.
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