I-45 crash kills 3, 4 others injured

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Three people were killed, and four others were injured after a deadly crash in Montgomery County on Monday morning.

I-45 deadly crash

What we know:

According to Houston Transtar, I-45 North southbound at Rayford and Sawdust Road closed after a two-vehicle accident around 5:30 a.m.

A white Chevy pickup truck crashed into a family of seven in one van, according to officials. Two males and a female from the van were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck and three others were taken to Memorial Hermann.

Authorities say the van had a flat tire on the inside shoulder of the freeway. The pickup truck ran into the van after catching the corner of it.

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Four other passengers from the van, including an 11-year-old, were taken to Memorial Hermann downtown to be treated for injuries. Another person from the van was taken to Memorial Hermann in The Woodlands as a precaution.

Traffic is forced to exit the highway and use the service road.

The road was closed for almost five hours.

What we don't know:

The identities of those who were killed have not been released at this time.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says they are still investigating.

Staying safe if you break down on highway

AAA shared some advice for drivers who find themselves in similar situations.

What they're saying:

"We never know where we’re going to break down or what the road conditions or traffic conditions are going to be like around us, but most safety experts agree if you do encounter a roadside breakdown, it’s best to stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt on and call for help. It’s a very dangerous move …. Very high speed," said Doug Shupe with AAA.