FORT BEND COUNTY — A 16-year-old East Bernard girl has died from injuries suffered in Monday morning’s head-on crash on U.S. Highway 90, Texas Department of Public Safety officials confirmed to Wharton Post Wednesday morning.

Her death marks the second fatality from the crash, which also killed a 66-year-old Sealy man.

Texas DPS Sgt. Stephen Woodard confirmed the teenager’s death to Wharton Post Wednesday morning but said the agency is not releasing her name at this time.

Crash Involved Honda and Freightliner

The crash occurred Monday morning, Sept. 1, on U.S. 90 near FM 1952 in Fort Bend County.

According to preliminary information previously provided to Wharton Post by DPS, a 2007 Freightliner commercial motor vehicle was traveling eastbound on U.S. 90 while a 2025 Honda sedan was traveling westbound.

DPS said that, for reasons still under investigation, the Honda entered the eastbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision with the Freightliner.

The Honda was driven by the 16-year-old East Bernard girl. A young boy from East Bernard was riding as a passenger.

Both were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston for medical treatment following the crash.

DPS confirmed Wednesday that the teenage driver later died from her injuries.

Sealy Man Also Killed

The Freightliner was driven by a 66-year-old man from Sealy, who was pronounced dead at the scene by the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner’s Office.

His identity has not yet been provided to Wharton Post. Wharton Post has requested his name from DPS and will update its coverage if additional information is released.

A photograph taken following the collision showed the commercial vehicle overturned alongside the highway and engulfed in flames.

Community Rallies Around East Bernard Family

As news of the crash spread, members of the East Bernard community began rallying around the family and sharing messages of support.

A GoFundMe fundraiser titled “Care for Trochta/Grant Family’s Long Road Ahead” was established to help the family with expenses stemming from the crash and the children’s hospitalization.

The fundraiser was originally created while the 16-year-old driver and her young passenger were receiving medical treatment following the collision. According to the fundraiser, the family was facing what organizers described as a long road ahead, including medical and other unexpected expenses.

By Wednesday morning, following news that the 16-year-old had died from her injuries, the fundraiser had received support from more than 190 donors and raised more than $19,000 toward its $20,000 goal.

Community members have continued sharing the fundraiser across social media as support grows for the family.

The fundraiser also provides additional information about the family and the impact of the crash. Some details differ from the preliminary information provided by DPS, including the age listed for the young passenger. Because of that discrepancy, Wharton Post is relying on DPS information for details concerning the crash itself.

DPS Sgt. Stephen Woodard confirmed the teenager’s death to Wharton Post Wednesday morning but said the agency is not releasing her name at this time. Wharton Post is therefore withholding her identity from this report.

Those wishing to contribute can visit the family’s fundraiser below:

Support the Trochta/Grant Family on GoFundMe.

East Bernard ISD Mourns Loss of Student

East Bernard Independent School District issued a statement Wednesday morning confirming the loss of an East Bernard High School student following the Sept. 1 crash.

Superintendent Courtney Hudgins said administrators met with students and staff at East Bernard Junior High and East Bernard High School to share the news and provide support as the district deals with another loss.

The district said EBISD counselors are available to students and staff, with professional grief counselors also available for additional support when needed.

“There are moments when words simply are not enough, and this is one of them,” Hudgins wrote in the statement, describing the student as a kind, loving and compassionate young person.

Hudgins said the loss is being felt beyond the student’s immediate family, including by friends, classmates, teammates, teachers and staff members.

The district also asked the community to respect the family’s privacy as students, staff and the broader East Bernard community grieve.

“One of the things that makes East Bernard so special is that when one of us hurts, we all hurt,” Hudgins wrote.

Photo Credit: Hellena Banks/Facebook
Source: Texas Department of Public Safety