Family of 4 Revealed as Victims of Crash on Texas Highway After Truck Driver Allegedly Fell Asleep: Reports

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5 days ago

Family members Shaun and Zabar McKellar, their 15-year-old son Kason and grandfather Billy McKellar, 79, died in the June 28 car crash in Terrell, Texas, according to reports
Evan McKellar is the only family member to reportedly have survived the incident and is in critical condition in hospital
Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni, 27, was charged with five counts of manslaughter in relation to the crashFour members of the same Fort Worth family have been revealed as among the victims of a recent multi-vehicle crash in Texas.
Shaun and Zabar McKellar died along with their 15-year-old son Kason and grandfather Billy McKellar, 79, when a semi-truck crashed into several vehicles on Interstate 20 in Terrell on Saturday, June 28, NBC News and CBS News reported, citing the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Evan McKellar, 20, was the only family member to survive the crash. She had been riding with her family in a Ford F-150 truck at the time and was sent to the ICU at Parkland Hospital with critical injuries, according to the outlets.
The fifth victim who died in the crash has been identified as the driver of another vehicle, 49-year-old Nicole Gregory from Dallas, per NBC News. She died at the scene.
The crash happened after a semi-truck hit two 18-wheelers and three passenger vehicles, causing a 'mass casualty' event, CBS reported at the time of the incident, citing the Terrell Volunteer Fire Department.
Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni, 27, allegedly told police that he fell asleep at the wheel before crashing into the back of a pickup truck carrying five people at around 2:40 p.m. local time, KLTV, CBS News Texas and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram previously reported.
Gonzalez-Companioni was charged with five counts of manslaughter and an additional count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon related to the crash, PEOPLE confirmed. He is currently in custody at the Kaufman County Jail.
The McKellar family were coming back from a trip in East Texas at the time of the crash, the family's attorney John Nohinek, of Witherite Law Group, told NBC News at the time.
'Our focus as attorneys turns toward trying to locate the source, from a legal standpoint, of the wreck,' he told the outlet. 'While the family grieves, we work to make sure that we get this information as soon as possible. It's very important information to get an idea of what was happening inside that vehicle at the time.'
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The loss of the McKellars has been described as 'heartbreaking' by loved ones. 'We lost a beautiful family in a tragic motor vehicle accident in Terrell, Texas,' Kirbie Nichols wrote on a GoFundMe page supporting the family.
'This unimaginable tragedy has deeply touched the hearts of many, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming love, prayers, and support shown during this time. So many have reached out asking how they can help or give back to the family in this moment of sorrow,' the page read.
According to CBS News, Kason was a student at North Crowley High School, while Evan McKellar is a college student.
PEOPLE has contacted Texas Department of Public Safety for comment.
Read the original article on People