3-Year-Old Girl Killed, Mother and Sister Injured in Fiery I-45 Crash Involving Suspected Drunk Driver

CONROE, TX -- On May 11, 2025, at approximately 8:15 p.m., the Conroe Police Department responded to a major accident in the 15000 block of the northbound main lanes of N. IH-45. The crash involved a blue Honda Civic and a white Toyota Camry. Both vehicles were engulfed in flames upon officers' arrival.

With the assistance of bystanders, two victims were able to be pulled from the burning Camry. The victims sustained severe injuries and burns. The Conroe Fire Department arrived shortly after and extinguished the fire.

The two victims rescued from the Camry were a 26-year-old mother and her 5-year-old daughter. They were transported to a Houston hospital with severe burns and injuries. A third occupant of the Camry, a 3-year-old daughter, was unable to be rescued and tragically died at the scene.

The driver of the Honda Civic was identified as 55-year-old Donald Carson. He suffered injuries in the crash and was transported to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the white Camry had been parked on the inside shoulder of the main lanes facing north due to a blown tire. The Honda Civic, traveling northbound in the HOV lane, veered into the inside shoulder and struck the rear of the Camry, resulting in both vehicles catching fire.

The Vehicular Crimes Unit from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office also responded and assisted with the investigation. During the investigation, Carson exhibited signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter (a second-degree felony) and two counts of Intoxication Assault (third-degree felonies). Once released from the hospital, he will be transported to the Montgomery County Jail.

The investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time.

Chief Jon Buckholtz: "This crash was entirely preventable and is an unimaginable loss to our community and most importantly this family. We grieve with the family as a mother and child fight for their lives with serious injuries in an intensive care unit, while their precious three-year-old has been taken from them forever. Due to the decisions and actions of yet another intoxicated driver, we will never know the impact that this child may have had on the world: a life full of promise and potential.
We are committed to working closely with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office in ensuring that swift and strong justice is served, however nothing we can do will ever turn back this clock. Our deepest and sincere condolences are extended to the family as we pray for the recovery of this mother and her surviving child."