Staff report

A 6-year-old Woodville child was killed Tuesday afternoon when the vehicle in which he was traveling crossed the highway in Hardin County and collided with an 18-wheeler.

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed in an issued statement that the crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 69 in the Village Mills community. Justice of the Peace T.J. Hall pronounced the child dead at the scene.

DPS said the crash happened when a southbound Lexus passenger vehicle crossed the roadway for unknown reasons and collided with a northbound 18-wheeler. The driver of the Lexus, Jason Abernathy, 37, of Woodville, sustained serious injuries and was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital. Abernathy is the father of the child who was killed.

The driver of the 18-wheeler was taken to a local hospital for observation.

DPS said it would not release the child’s name.