Press release — At approximately 4 p.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) received a report of a multiple vehicle crash on Highway 62 in Orange County.  The crash occurred near the Tulane Overpass.

Preliminary reports indicate that a 2007 Chevrolet passenger vehicle was traveling northbound, in the inside traffic lane, of Highway 62.  A 2016 Jeep Wrangler and a 2008 Toyota passenger vehicle were both traveling southbound on Highway 62.  Due to the weather conditions, the driver of the Chevrolet hydroplaned and crossed the center dividing line into oncoming traffic.  As the Chevrolet crossed into the southbound traffic lane, it was struck by the Jeep.  The impact of the collision caused the Chevrolet to spin into the path of the Toyota.  The Toyota struck the Chevrolet in the passenger-side door.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Gabrielle Ariel Bass, 27, of Orange,  and her 7-year-old son were pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Derry Dunn.  A third passenger in the Chevrolet, Melissa McMillan, 48, of Orange, was also pronounced deceased at the crash scene by Justice of the Peace Derry Dunn.

Melissa McMillan’s 8-year-old son, a passenger in the Chevrolet, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with serious injuries.  The 8-year-old child has since been transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston and is listed in critical condition.

Gabrielle Bass’ 4-year-old daughter was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The driver of the Jeep, 43-year-old Michael Bloss of Lumberton, was not injured in the crash.

The driver of the Toyota, William Lippman, 46, of Orange, did not sustain any injuries in the crash.

All information is preliminary as this fatal crash remains under investigation.

There are no further details to be released.