A car accident claimed the lives of five people as the Texas family was en route to Walt Disney World and now the teen driver has been cited for the wreck.
The Associated Press reported that the Michael and Trudi Hardman and three children of their six children were killed late Wednesday when the SUV carrying them veered off the road in Louisiana.
The Shreveport Times noted that a preliminary investigation showed that the Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by the Hardman’s 16-year-old son, was traveling east on Interstate 20 when the vehicle ran off the road. The SUV then began to roll over and six of the occupants not wearing seatbelts were ejected.
The juveniles killed were ages 4, 7 and 15.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of wearing a seat belt anytime you are in a vehicle,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, Louisiana State Police Superintendent.
Authorities said that the teen driver, identified as Andrew Hardman, allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel. He was cited with careless operation of a vehicle, which is a misdemeanor.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to all of the people affected by this tragic crash," Edmonson said.