At a Glance
- Dec. 24 crash in Milam County kills 18-year-old Cooper Elsik and a 17-year-old.
- A Dodge truck collided with a Ford Escape, sending the SUV into a second crash.
- DPS says investigation is still active as of 10:23 a.m. Monday.
- Why it matters: The incident highlights the dangers of road collisions involving homemade trailers and the ongoing need for traffic safety.
A tragic three-vehicle collision on the evening of Dec. 24 in Milam County, Texas, left two teenagers dead and left emergency crews scrambling to treat serious injuries.
Crash Details
A 18-year-old Cooper Andrew Elsik was driving a Ford Escape with a 17-year-old girl on U.S. 79 westbound when a Dodge truck pulling a homemade utility trailer entered his lane and struck the SUV. The impact sent the Escape into a second crash with another vehicle carrying three people, who were taken to Baylor Scott & White Hospital with serious injuries.
| Person | Age | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Cooper Andrew Elsik | 18 | Ford Escape |
| 17-year-old girl | 17 | – |
| 60-year-old male from Lufkin | 60 | Dodge truck |
Investigation Status
The Texas Department of Public Safety released a press statement confirming the fatalities of Elsik and the 17-year-old. The driver of the Dodge truck was identified as a 60-year-old male from Lufkin, Texas, but his injury status is unknown. DPS reports that the crash investigation remains active as of 10:23 a.m. Monday.
Key Takeaways
- Two teenagers were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Dec. 24.
- A homemade utility trailer was involved in the collision.
- Investigation is ongoing with no update on the Dodge truck driver’s injuries.
The incident underscores the critical importance of safe vehicle operation and thorough crash investigations.
