Police are investigating a fatal multiple vehicle crash involving a semi truck that occurred in Zavala County, Texas, on Tuesday.
The crash occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on January 21 on the Nueces River Bridge carrying U.S. Highway 57, near La Pryor.
Officials say two white Ford vans, both towing trailers, were involved in a rear-end collision while eastbound on the bridge. A white Ford pickup stopped on the bridge due to the crash.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said that several people exited the vans and attempted to signal the driver of a white Freightliner to stop for the crash and due to ice on the bridge.
“The driver of the truck tractor attempted to avoid the crash by traveling in the middle of the road but lost control and struck all three vehicles,” the Texas DPS said.
Van driver, Maria Pineda, 60, was killed in the crash.
Van occupants Pedro Urquiza, 63, Estanislao Jaimes, 60, and Diana Lopez, 43, as well as pickup driver Jose Artemio Rodriguez, 48, were found dead at the bottom of the bridge.
Seven others were hospitalized with injuries.
The New York Times reports the police are investigating whether the individuals found at the bottom of the bridge were struck or whether they jumped to avoid the semi.
The truck driver was not seriously hurt.
The incident is under investigation.