by Fort Bend County, Texas — A devastating wrong-way crash early Saturday morning claimed the lives of three members of a young Texas family, leaving only their 3-year-old son alive after their vehicle was struck head-on by another driver while returning home from a holiday party, authorities said.
Deputies with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched around 2 a.m. on December 20 to a serious collision in the 11400 block of South Highway 99, also known as the Grand Parkway.
What Investigators Say Happened
According to a preliminary investigation, the family of four — traveling northbound on Highway 99 — was hit head-on by a vehicle traveling the wrong way in the northbound lanes. The impact was severe.
Authorities identified the victims as Lizbeth Rodriguez Contreras, 27, Diego Peña Jr., 26, and their 5-year-old daughter, Camila Peña.
Lizbeth and Camila were pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Diego Peña Jr. and the couple’s 3-year-old son were airlifted to a nearby hospital. Peña Jr. later died from his injuries, while the toddler remains in critical but stable condition.
Other Driver Hospitalized, Charges Pending
The other driver involved in the crash was a 28-year-old woman, who has not been publicly identified. She was also flown to a hospital but suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to deputies.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing and that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. Authorities noted that charges are pending as investigators continue to gather evidence.
Family Had Just Left a Holiday Celebration
Relatives later confirmed that the family had just left a holiday party when their lives were forever changed.
A GoFundMe fundraiser established on behalf of the surviving child, identified as Dieguito, describes a close-knit family whose lives centered around their children.
“Lizbeth and Diego’s world revolved around their children as was evident since their young family was inseparable,” the fundraiser states.
Loved ones wrote that Diego took great pride in being a father and worked overtime alongside Lizbeth to support their family.
“Diego recalls the moment his life changed when he found out he was going to be a father,” the description reads. “He took naturally to being a very involved dad.”
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Remembering Lizbeth and Camila
Lizbeth was remembered not only as a devoted mother but also as a dedicated educator. Family members said she was a 4th-grade teacher at Metcalf Elementary School, where her daughter Camila was also enrolled as a pre-kindergarten student.
“A big perk was that Camila was also a pre-k student at the same school and they got to spend every day together,” loved ones wrote.
Camila was described as a joyful child with a “contagious smile” who loved being at school with her mother and cherished her role as a big sister.
“She loved being able to go to and from school every day with her mom,” the fundraiser added. “Camila also loved being a big sister.”
Community Rallies Around Surviving Child
Donations raised through the fundraiser will help cover Dieguito’s hospital and medical expenses, along with funeral and memorial costs for his parents and sister.
Family members said the road ahead will be long, as the young boy continues to recover from critical injuries while facing the unimaginable loss of his entire immediate family.
Authorities Renew Warning About Impaired Driving
In the aftermath of the crash, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office again urged the public to never drive after drinking, especially during the holiday season.
Officials emphasized the importance of planning ahead, using a designated driver, or arranging alternate transportation before attending celebrations involving alcohol.
Wrong-way crashes, though relatively rare, are often among the most deadly types of traffic accidents, particularly when impairment is involved.
Investigation Continues
Authorities have not released further details about the suspect driver or the exact circumstances leading up to the crash. Investigators said additional information will be shared once the case progresses.
As the community mourns the loss of a young family, officials say the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how quickly impaired driving can destroy lives.
What steps do you think should be taken to prevent wrong-way and impaired-driving crashes like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
