Parked Car Struck by Drunk Driver in Conroe; Child Killed, Mother and Sister Critically Injured

A tragic collision on Sunday evening resulted in the death of a 3-year-old girl and critical injuries to her mother and 5-year-old sister after their parked vehicle was struck by another car on Interstate 45.

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, at approximately 8:15 p.m., the Conroe Police Department responded to a major accident in the 15000 block of the northbound main lanes of N. IH-45. Upon arrival, officers found a blue Honda Civic and a white Toyota Camry both engulfed in flames.

Bystanders assisted in pulling two victims from the burning Camry, identified as a 26-year-old mother and her 5-year-old daughter. Both sustained severe injuries and burns and were transported to a Houston hospital. Tragically, a third occupant of the Camry, the mother’s 3-year-old daughter, was unable to be rescued and died at the scene.

The driver of the Honda Civic was identified as 55-year-old Donald Carson. He sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the white Camry had been parked on the inside shoulder of the northbound main lanes due to a blown tire. The Honda Civic, traveling northbound in the HOV lane, veered onto the inside shoulder and collided with the rear of the parked Camry, causing both vehicles to ignite.

The Vehicular Crimes Unit from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the investigation. According to police, Donald Carson exhibited signs of impairment and was arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter (a second-degree felony) and two counts of Intoxication Assault (third-degree felonies). Upon his release from the hospital, he will be transported to the Montgomery County Jail.

Conroe Police Chief Jon Buckholtz expressed his condolences, stating, “This crash was entirely preventable and is an unimaginable loss to our community and most importantly this family… Due to the decisions and actions of yet another intoxicated driver, we will never know the impact that this child may have had on the world… We are committed to working closely with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office in ensuring that swift and strong justice is served.”

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.