Couple, 3 Kids Killed on Way to Disney World

16-year-old driver may have fallen asleep
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 20, 2014 6:58 PM CST
Couple, 3 Kids Killed on Way to Disney World
This photo provided by the Louisiana State Police shows the SUV involved in the crash.   (AP Photo/Louisiana State Police)

Two parents and three children en route to a Disney World vacation were killed last night in a car accident, reports WFAA. Police say none of the five were wearing seat belts, and all were ejected from their SUV when it rolled over on an interstate in northern Louisiana. Killed were parents Michael and Trudi Hardman of Terrell, Texas, and three kids ages 4, 7, and 15. The 16-year-old driver and two other passengers suffered minor injuries. Police think the teen may have fallen asleep at the wheel, and he has been charged with reckless operation of a vehicle, reports AP.

Authorities think that after the SUV veered left onto the median, the driver over-corrected and rolled the vehicle. The Hardmans were driving from Texas to Orlando, Florida, and would have been less than four hours into a 16-hour drive. The crash took place about 10:45pm. Police have not released the names of the younger passengers, but they said all were either siblings or half-siblings, suggesting they were the Hardmans' children. (More car crash stories.)

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