4 killed in East Texas crash; 3 victims under 18

CARTHAGE, TX -- Investigators say three children 17 and younger were among four members of a Kentucky family killed in a three-vehicle crash in East Texas.

The crash happened Saturday in Panola County in East Texas, near the Louisiana border, when a van was struck from behind by a Chevrolet Tahoe while waiting for another car to make a left turn. The van was pushed into oncoming traffic, where a tractor-trailer rig slammed into it.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says four the Lexington, Kentucky-area residents in the van were killed - 17-year-old driver Kevin Avelar, 46-year-old Israel Avelar and two boys, ages 13 and 6.

KLTV-TV in Tyler, Texas reported three other van passengers were hospitalized, as were the drivers of the Tahoe and the 18-wheeler.