18-wheeler slams into car, killing woman, 2 children, dog along North Texas highway, officials say

An investigation is underway after Texas DPS said a crash in Kaufman County claimed the lives of three people overnight, two of whom were children. A family pet also died,

DPS said it happened around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday on a bridge along US-80, near Windmill Farms Boulevard. Officials said a 2013 model year Hyundai, driven by 38-year-old Va'Necia Deshun Williams, was disabled in the right lane on the eastbound side of the highway at the time. Williams was inside the car with two children at the time, identified by loved ones as 14-year-old Sa'Niah Davis and 9-year-old A'veonia Davis.

An 18-wheeler, however, was also traveling east on the highway at the time, according to officials. DPS said the driver of the 18-wheeler was unable to avoid a crash with the Hyundai, hitting the rear end of the car and causing it to go over the bridge's concrete railing.

Williams and both children were declared dead at the scene, DPS said. Loved ones also said the family dog, named Queenie, died in the crash.

The crash shut down the eastbound part of the highway for several hours.

DPS said no further information was available as of publication.