DPS identifies 2 men killed on I-10 after crane struck their truck

Published 7:52 am Friday, April 23, 2021

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Authorities released the names of two men killed Thursday when a crane collapsed near Interstate 10 in Jefferson County and struck a passing motorist.

The driver, 37-year-old Sarfaraz Karowadia, and his passenger, 42-year-old Altaf Kasowadia, were pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Travis McCall at the crash scene, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The victims were occupants of a Toyota pickup truck and were from Friendswood.

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As of Friday morning, Sgt. Stephanie Davis said this remains an active investigation as troopers work to determine the exact factors that contributed to the fatal crash.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. Thursday, troopers received a report of a multiple vehicle crash on Interstate 10, near Smith Road.

The initial reports received by DPS were incorrect as to a piece of heavy equipment becoming dislodged from a commercial motor vehicle.

The preliminary DPS crash investigation indicates a 2013 Toyota pickup truck was traveling westbound on I-10, near Smith Road.

Construction crews in the area were working and operating a heavy crane. It appears the crane experienced some type of malfunction and struck the Toyota pickup.