It happened Tuesday around 7 a.m. on I-10 westbound at Greenhouse Road. The freeway was shut down for hours but reopened around 11:45 a.m.
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According to Lynn Nguyen, Chief of Vehicular Crimes, a white truck stopped in a moving lane of traffic because a water bottle was stuck underneath the driver's brake and gas pedals. The driver put on his hazard lights as he tried to remove the bottle.
A second and third car were both able to stop and did not hit him. However, a fourth vehicle, a gray Dodge Ram pickup truck, couldn't stop in time and crashed into them.
An 18-wheeler that was unable to avoid the wreck also hit the Dodge truck, causing it to spin. The 3-year-old and 8-year-old were riding in the Dodge pickup.
Both children were flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where they remain in critical condition. The 3-year-old has a brain hemorrhage and the 8-year-old has a skull fracture.
The drivers are okay. They have not shown signs of intoxication, according to authorities.
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An investigation will determine if the driver of the silver truck was speeding.
Officials did see a car seat, but they don't know if either of the children were restrained.
Charges are possible, pending the outcome of the investigation.
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