Wise County, TX — A tragic accident in Wise County early Monday morning claimed the lives of two teenagers and left their younger sister injured. The crash occurred around 6:44 a.m. at the intersection of County Road 4011 and U.S. Highway 380, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Authorities say the three siblings were inside a blue Ford F-150 when it attempted to cross Highway 380 from County Road 4011. As the vehicle entered the intersection, it was struck by a Freightliner truck that was pulling a trailer. The impact caused the large truck to jack-knife and overturn, eventually coming to rest in the center median of the highway. The Ford pickup was pushed off the road and landed on the grassy shoulder on the south side.
The young occupants of the Ford were identified by the Wise County 4-H Club and Decatur Independent School District as members of the Christensen family. Thirteen-year-old Nolan Christensen, who was sitting in the passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. His older sister, 16-year-old Sofia Christensen, was driving and was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where she later died from her injuries. Their 12-year-old sister, Ella Christensen, was also hospitalized, though her condition has not yet been made public.
The heartbreaking news has deeply affected the Decatur community. At a school board meeting later that evening, district officials and staff held a moment of prayer and silence for the Christensen family. “We lift up the family of the impacted students in this tragedy,” one official said emotionally. “Help us to carry one another in the pain we are feeling in this moment.”
The driver of the Freightliner, 33-year-old Jose Feliz Rodriguez, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Authorities have not reported any signs of impairment, and no charges have been filed at this time.
The crash is still under investigation as law enforcement works to understand what exactly led to the fatal collision. Officials are reviewing traffic patterns and any possible contributing factors at the intersection. As the community mourns, many are rallying around the surviving Christensen family members, offering prayers and support during this unimaginable time.
