Highway 87 Crash Claims Fifth Life: Caleb Burge Dies Days After Van and Bus Collision in Texas

 A deadly multi vehicle crash on State Highway 87 in Sabine Pass, Texas, has left five people dead and several others injured after a collision involving a passenger van, a charter bus, and a car, according to authorities investigating the incident.

Officials said the crash occurred around 3:50 p.m. on Monday, May 18, when a Chevrolet Express van traveling northwest reportedly crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a southbound charter bus operated by Hotard, setting off a chain reaction that later involved a following Audi.

Troopers reported that the van carried nine occupants, and four people including the driver and three passengers were pronounced dead at the scene by a justice of the peace, marking an immediate and devastating loss for multiple Baytown families involved in the wreck.

Officials later confirmed that a fifth victim, 22-year-old Caleb Burge, died Wednesday at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont after sustaining life-threatening injuries in the crash, adding to the growing death toll linked to the incident.

Five additional passengers from the van were transported to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital with severe, life threatening injuries, while the bus driver and Audi driver were treated for non life threatening injuries and later released from medical care.

The wreck forced a full closure of Highway 87 in both directions near the Texas Louisiana border for several hours as emergency responders worked at the scene and investigators began reconstructing the crash sequence.

DPS said the investigation remains active as troopers review evidence to determine contributing factors, while a GoFundMe campaign for one of the victims families has raised more than 50000 dollars in community support.

The tragedy has deeply affected the Baytown community and surrounding areas, where friends and relatives continue to mourn the sudden loss of multiple lives in a crash that unfolded within seconds but left lasting consequences. Local officials and emergency teams have emphasized the importance of careful driving and awareness on busy highways, especially in areas where commercial traffic and passenger vehicles share narrow routes. As investigators continue examining the sequence of events leading to the collision, they are working to determine what caused the van to cross into oncoming lanes and trigger the deadly chain reaction involving multiple vehicles. Authorities have not released further details about potential contributing factors, noting that the case remains open as they gather additional evidence from the crash site and witness accounts. For families impacted, the focus remains on healing and supporting one another through an unimaginable loss that has reshaped their daily lives and communities across Baytown and beyond. 

As the legal process moves forward, officials say updates will be provided through formal channels as the investigation progresses in the coming weeks and months ahead. Residents across the region are being reminded to remain attentive on the roads and to prioritize safety, as this incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly highway conditions can change and lead to severe outcomes involving multiple vehicles and families affected across different communities in Texas overall safety.