Truckers killed in I-10 wreck were a newly-engaged couple

The couple killed when the tractor trailer they were riding in struck a piece of machinery were newly-engaged, relatives told ABC-7 Friday.

Police identified the driver as 24-year-old Patrick Charles Van Fossen, of McKinney, Texas and his passenger as Keserie Paredes of Van Alstyne, Texas.

Police officials said a preliminary investigation revealed construction machinery parked in the center median between I-10 E and I-10 W on mile marker 34 struck several vehicles on the freeway. “The construction vehicle had a protruding conveyer belt sticking out four feet onto the I-10 East inside lane,” police added.

Van Fossen and Paredes were killed when their semi struck the machinery. Police said the collision caused the machinery’s arm “to penetrate the cab (of the tractor trailer), striking Van Fossen and pushing him to the rear of the cab.” Investigators further stated, “the conveyer arm then ripped the sleeper berth off the cab, causing the rear passenger (Paredes) to be ejected.”

The wreck happened around 2:30am on I-10 East between Americas Avenue and Eastlake Blvd. It led to a chain reaction involving three other tractor trailers and a small SUV.

ABC-7 spoke with a truck driver who witnessed the piece of machinery affecting traffic. She called 911 to alert authorities moments before witnessing the wreck.

“It was just really horrific. The impact was just so bad you could just see pieces of the truck flying and we were all running for our lives because nobody was controlling the truck,” Jean Beck said, “It was out of control and here we are in and outside of the road and the trucks coming straight at us so it was pretty scary and we were screaming and trying to run for our lives.”

Beck told ABC-7 Van Fossen and Paredes were killed instantly.

ABC-7 has learned Van Fossen proposed to Paredes just a couple of weeks ago. Both Van Fossen and Paredes were truck drivers, relatives said.

“Patrick had a lot of friends,” the sister of the victim, Erika Van Hossan said. “He and Keserie loved what they did.”

Erika told ABC-7 that Patrick had only driven trucks for about a year and a half. “He was a fantastic driver,” she said. “He never had a ticket and had never been pulled over.”

The victim’s said the couple had recently been approved to buy a house and that her brother talked about settling down and having kids.

ABC-7 spoke with an aunt of Paredes, who said the woman was also a truck driver. The aunt sent ABC-7 the following statement:

“She (Paredes) had a beautiful heart, always so happy. She loved her trucking job. She was the sweetest person I knew and the best niece I could ever have. She loved animals, especially her dog and cats. She loved everything and everyone. Her mother and father are so destroyed right now … I am still trying to wrap my head around what happened. I will always miss her. Our family will never be the same.”

TXDOT officials told ABC-7 they wouldn’t be able to comment until the investigation is complete, but did confirm JAR Construction was contracted at the site.

ABC-7 reached out to JAR Construction repeatedly over the past 24 hours. Friday evening, JAR Construction emailed the following statement to ABC-7’s Estela Casas:

“We were saddened to learn about the tragic event that occurred on Thursday morning. We are cooperating fully with the various governmental authorities involved, and we are conducting our own investigation. The company cares deeply about the well-being of our community. As the investigation of the incident is ongoing, we have no additional updates to share at this time. In the meantime, the company extends its thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.”