4 dead, 10 injured after rollover accident in Wise County

ALVORD – A fourth person died in a car crash on US 287 near FM 1655 on Wednesday, Texas State Troopers said. Investigators said only one of the van's 14 occupants was wearing a seatbelt.

Alvord is located about 45 miles northwest of Fort Worth.

The accident occurred on Wednesday shortly before 8 a.m. Three rescue helicopters and several ambulances were dispatched and transported eleven people to various hospitals.

Investigators on site said the severity of the injuries ranged from minor to critical.

A Facebook video shared with CBS News Texas showed a heavily damaged white minivan on a grassy shoulder next to the highway. Numerous police officers stood next to what appeared to be several bodies on the ground. Tire tracks leading from the road to the shoulder could also be seen.

Traffic on US-287 returned to normal Wednesday afternoon, but it was closed for more than three hours while the accident was investigated.

“Then we drove by and then I saw the car. It looked like it hit the tree, then I saw the skid marks on the road and then I saw everyone,” said Paige Caffrey, who drove past the accident scene on her way to work.

Tony De La Cerda, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said the 15-seat Chevy Express 3500 had a Florida license plate, but investigators did not yet know where it was headed.

“The vehicle left the road, the driver overcorrected, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, which caused the vehicle to roll over several times,” De La Cerda said.

De La Cerda said 13 of the van's 14 occupants were ejected.

“Seeing all these people on the street and on the lawn is very difficult because we have to keep calm and treat each one individually,” said De La Cerda.

In addition to the three people who died at the scene and another who later died in hospital, three other people in critical condition were taken by helicopter to local hospitals and eight passengers were taken to hospitals by ambulance.

“One person was wearing a seat belt and was able to walk away,” De La Cerda said. “If everyone had been wearing seat belts, there would probably be more people here.”

Caffrey is still shocked by what she saw.

“I'm sad and worried because you never know when your last day will be with your loved ones,” Caffrey said. “It's something that goes through your mind. I just wish everyone would be careful and not drive so crazy.”

The investigation is ongoing. The names of the victims have not yet been released. DPS is working with the Medical Examiner's Office, EMS and hospitals to identify everyone involved. Their identities will be released after next of kin are notified, authorities said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.