SHERMAN, TX – Heavy rainfall on Christmas Eve morning turned rescue efforts into a daunting task in Sherman, Texas, after a crash left six people trapped in an SUV engulfed by rising waters. Authorities confirmed at least one fatality in the incident.
The white Chevrolet Traverse was caught in a drainage ditch near U.S. Highway 5 and was swept southbound along the U.S. 75 service road. The vehicle finally came to a halt near Houston Street at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Inside, six individuals were trapped, battling not just the confines of the SUV but also the relentless surge of water surrounding them.
Rescue teams managed to extract four of the occupants, who were immediately transported to Sherman Medical Center. Despite the ordeal, medical personnel expect all four to survive. However, efforts to locate the remaining two individuals continued throughout the day. By 5 p.m., one body had been recovered, while the search for the other person persisted. Authorities have withheld the names and ages of those involved.
This tragic event is not the first of its kind in Sherman. The area has seen similar fatal accidents during flash floods, including the death of a woman from Anna in 2020 and a newlywed couple from Arkansas in 2021. The drainage ditch, maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation, has been criticized for lacking adequate safety measures, such as guardrails, which could potentially prevent such incidents.
Investigators are still piecing together the sequence of events leading to Tuesday’s crash. Preliminary findings suggest that the combination of excessive water accumulation and potential hydroplaning played a significant role. Once a vehicle enters the drainage ditch, it becomes vulnerable to the swift and forceful currents, leaving little control over its fate.
The community mourns the loss and grapples with the harsh reality of nature’s unpredictability. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by flash floods, especially in areas prone to rapid water accumulation.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on improving infrastructure to prevent future tragedies. The question of how to enhance safety along these perilous stretches of road lingers, as residents and officials alike seek solutions to protect lives.