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ARTelevision · 05-06-2003, 10:07 AM

Girl apparently drove truck in fatal crash

Published Friday, May 2, 2003
HOWE, Texas (AP) - An 11-year-old girl was apparently the driver of an 18-wheeler that crashed into a highway overpass guardrail, burst into flames and fell onto the road below, police said.

Nicole Marie Gonzales, her father, Luis, 35, and her brother, Nicholas, 3, burned to death in the wreck early April 25 on Highway 75, authorities said.

Police Sgt. John Cherry said Luis Gonzales drove from Michigan to Muldrow, Okla., the day before the crash. Investigators were unsure about how much time he spent at his home, but knew that he set out again around 9 p.m. on April 24.

"The father in this case had not had much sleep," and it appears 11-year-old Nicole was driving the rig, which was loaded with automobile parts, Cherry said.

"She was behind the wheel. She had the steering wheel in her hands when she was removed," he said.

The father also might not have been driving because of health complications due to a heart condition and recent illness, Cherry said.

The father’s body was found at the edge of the mattress in the cab’s sleeper compartment, police said. No one in the rig was wearing a seat belt, and the 3-year-old was not in a child safety seat.

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05-06-2003, 10:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	One more reason people shouldn't assume they have a "right" to be a parent Girl apparently drove truck in fatal crash Published Friday, May 2, 2003 HOWE, Texas (AP) - An 11-year-old girl was apparently the driver of an 18-wheeler that crashed into a highway overpass guardrail, burst into flames and fell onto the road below, police said. Nicole Marie Gonzales, her father, Luis, 35, and her brother, Nicholas, 3, burned to death in the wreck early April 25 on Highway 75, authorities said. Police Sgt. John Cherry said Luis Gonzales drove from Michigan to Muldrow, Okla., the day before the crash. Investigators were unsure about how much time he spent at his home, but knew that he set out again around 9 p.m. on April 24. "The father in this case had not had much sleep," and it appears 11-year-old Nicole was driving the rig, which was loaded with automobile parts, Cherry said. "She was behind the wheel. She had the steering wheel in her hands when she was removed," he said. The father also might not have been driving because of health complications due to a heart condition and recent illness, Cherry said. The father’s body was found at the edge of the mattress in the cab’s sleeper compartment, police said. No one in the rig was wearing a seat belt, and the 3-year-old was not in a child safety seat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- __________________ create evolution