290 REOPENS AFTER FIERY CRASH KILLS FOUR

  

Authorities say it may be several days before the identities of four victims of a horrific auto accident in Waller County are released.

Four people in a Volkswagen were killed in a fiery crash just before 1:00 this (Wednesday) morning on Highway 290 at FM-359 in Hempstead.

A DPS spokesman says the bodies have been taken to the medical examiner’s office and it may be some time before positive identifications can be made.

According to the accident report, the Volkswagen was west-bound on 290, when it was rear-ended by a speeding Chevy Impala.  The collision forced the Volkswagen off the road into a bar ditch where it burst into flames, engulfing the entire vehicle.

The four victims were not discovered until the flames had been extinguished.

The driver of the Impala was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bryan where he is expected to recover.

The area of the accident was closed down until shortly after 2:00 this (Wednesday) afternoon.

DPS troopers say alcohol may have played a role in the crash.