5 killed in Houston-area wrong-way traffic wreck

Four adults and a child died in a two-vehicle wreck about 11 p.m. Sunday on the westbound North Sam Houston Parkway near John Ralston, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Two others were taken to area hospitals. less Four adults and a child died in a two-vehicle wreck about 11 p.m. Sunday on the westbound North Sam Houston Parkway near John Ralston, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Two others were taken to ... more Photo: Montgomery County Police Reporter Photo: Montgomery County Police Reporter Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 5 killed in Houston-area wrong-way traffic wreck 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

New details have been released after at least five people, including a young child, were killed late Sunday night when a wrong-way driver slammed head-on into their pickup in northeast Harris County.

The two-vehicle wreck happened about 11 p.m. on the westbound North Sam Houston Parkway near John Ralston, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said Efraim Carmona was driving a 2009 Dodge Ram 5500 pickup eastbound in the westbound lanes when he smashed into a 2000 Ford F-150.

Five people in the Ford died at the scene. The front passenger in the Ford was injured and was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition.

The names of the victims have not been released.

The five included four adults and one child, possibly 3 or 4 years old, sheriff's office officials said at a news conference Monday afternoon. No one in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt and no car seat was found in the truck, official said.

Deputies said Carmona showed signs of impairment.

According to the Harris County District Clerk's website, Carmona has been charged with six counts of intoxication manslaughter.

Investigators found several containers of beer in Carmona's vehicle, sheriff's office officials said.

Officials blocked the roadway for about seven hours while crews cleared the scene. Houston TranStar reported the two-vehicle wreck site cleared at 6:06 a.m. Monday and all main lanes reopened on North Sam Houston Tollway westbound.

Carmona was driving a flatbed truck belonging to ACME Truck Line Inc. in Alvin.

Calls to the ACME office in Alvin were referred to their corporate office. A spokeswoman for the company said officials are aware of the crash and are conducting an investigation.

The spokeswoman said the office could not confirm details about the driver or the crash, including whether he was an employee.

More details will be reported as they become available.

Reporter Samantha Ehlinger contributed to this report.