Texas child dies after I-10 wreck

An eight-year-old Texas girl died from injuries sustained in a crash on I-10 near Grosse Tete Friday afternoon, according to Trooper Russell G. Graham II.

Emma Key was one of three passengers in a Toyota Sequoia driven by Steven Key, 39. Another passenger, Sherry Key, 36, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. The Keys are from Katy, Texas.

Steven Key was driving east on I-10 when his SUV crossed the median into the westbound lanes and was stuck by a westbound 18-wheeler driven by Jeffrey Vermeer, 53, of Griffin, Georgia. Griffin's 1999 Western Star tractor pushed SUV some 200 feet.

Steven Key and another child riding with him sustained minor injuries. Vermeer was not injured.

Alcohol is not suspected as a factor in the crash. The roadways were wet when it occurred, Graham said, adding that the accident remains under investigation.

The crash occurred shortly after 3 p.m. Troopers cleared the Interstate and reopened it to traffic around 6:30 p.m.