Montgomery Mourns Beloved Resident Mary Louise Sargent, 64, Killed in Horrific I-45 Crash Involving 18-Wheeler near Huntsville
On Sunday evening, just after 6 p.m., tragedy struck on Interstate 45 southbound near Highway 30, just south of Huntsville, Texas. A heavy-duty 18-wheeler plowed into a Kia carrying Mary Louise Sargent, 64, from Montgomery. The force of the impact propelled the Kia onto a trailer hauling a mini‑excavator—launching the vehicle onto the pickup truck the trailer was being towed by. The collision was devastating: the Kia slammed through the trailer bed, struck the pickup’s tailgate, and collapsed its cab roof in a horrifying sequence of metal crushing metal .
Victim Identified & Condition of Passengers
Tragically, Mary Louise Sargent sustained fatal injuries. She was identified as the driver of the Kia. Also in the vehicle was her granddaughter, whose condition remains critical following the crash .
The victim’s loved ones are now left to grieve an unimaginable loss.
Family, Friends & Community in Mourning
- Immediate grief: Loved ones described Mary as a cherished figure in their lives—devoted, warm-hearted, and always placing family first. Her sudden death has left a painful void.
- Supporting the injured: As Mary’s family mourns her passing, they are also rallying around her granddaughter. The child’s critical injuries have led to an outpouring of community support: from prayers to financial assistance.
- Community impact: The accident has jolted local residents and travelers on I‑45. The horror and violence of the crash scene—where a small Kia was overpowered and obliterated by an 18-wheeler—has fueled renewed calls for safer highways, especially at heavy-traffic interchanges like I‑45 and SH‑30.
Ongoing Investigation & Road Safety
- Law enforcement response: The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the cause of the rear-end collision. Key factors under review include speed, following distance, road conditions, and whether any equipment failure on the truck may have contributed .
- No indications yet of impairment or mechanical faults, but the investigation remains open. Upcoming toxicology and mechanical reports will be critical to understanding why the truck failed to stop in time.
Messages from Family & Loved Ones
Though no formal statements have yet been released by the Sargent family, friends say memorial services will be held in Montgomery. Community members are expected to gather both in-person and online to share memories of Mary and offer ongoing support for her grieving family—especially her granddaughter.
Summary
- Victim: Mary Louise Sargent, 64, of Montgomery, was killed after her car was rear-ended on I‑45 near Huntsville.
- Crash details: A commercial 18-wheeler forced the Kia onto a trailer and through the pickup it was towing—resulting in fatal structural damage .
- Survivors: Her granddaughter, seriously injured and in critical condition.
- Community response: Profound grief across family, friends, and local residents. Support efforts underway for the child and a community in shock.
- Status: DPS investigation is ongoing, focusing on road and mechanical safety.