Five people have now died following a devastating multi-vehicle crash involving a passenger van, a bus and a car on a major road.
The collision happened at around 4pm on Monday, according to the officials.
Investigators said a Chevrolet Express passenger van was travelling northwest when it crossed into the opposite lane and collided with an empty Prevost passenger bus heading southeast.
READ MORE: Lipo patient found dead days after being dragged from clinic into car
An Audi travelling behind the bus then crashed into the rear of it after the initial impact.
Authorities said the van ended up in a ditch following the collision, as reported by Need To Know.
Four people were pronounced dead at the scene on Highway 87 near Sabine Pass, Texas.
They were identified as van driver Cesar Rojas, 28, of Baytown, along with passengers Emmanuel Reynosa Rivas, 27, Angel Dominguez, 28, and Osvaldo Alvarez, 37.
A fifth victim, Caleb Burge, later died in hospital on Wednesday after suffering critical injuries in the crash.
Texas DPS said several others were injured and taken to hospital, with some later released.
Among those hurt was Fernando Rojas, 50, who survived the crash and is continuing to recover, according to family members.
The driver of the bus, a 48-year-old man from Vidor, was also injured.
LNG said the bus involved in the crash had been contracted to one of its EPC contractors.
In a statement released after the crash, the company said: “Our thoughts are with the families and those impacted by this tragic incident today.”
As devastated families mourned their loved ones, emotional tributes and fundraising pages began appearing online.
Caleb Burge’s brother, Chad Bertrand, described him as “a beautiful soul” who left a lasting impact on everyone around him.
In a GoFundMe appeal created to support Caleb’s wife and two young children, Chad wrote: “Caleb lost his life in the accident, and he was the sole provider for his family of four.
“He leaves behind his wife Cheyenne, a two-year-old son, and another son who just turned one.”
The fundraiser added that Caleb “worked tirelessly to ensure his family had everything they needed”.
In a separate Facebook tribute, Chad wrote: “A beautiful soul that touched this earth and has left the biggest impact anyone has ever seen.”
Osvaldo Alvarez’s family also paid tribute to the 37-year-old father, describing him as generous, hardworking and “the life of the party”.
His brother, Ramiro Robledo, said: “He loved life, his son Lisandro, my parents, his brothers, nephew and niece.”
Robledo said Alvarez had recently started his first refinery job on land after previously working offshore and enjoyed helping newcomers in the industry.
“He would help everyone he met and would show newbies the ropes in the refinery world,” he said.
“He was the life of the party and would love to pay for everyone’s drinks so everyone would be on his level.”
A fundraiser launched for Alvarez’s family said he “would help anyone without hesitation” and had devoted himself to caring for his young son and parents.
Another GoFundMe created in memory of Cesar Rojas described him as “a great friend” and asked for support for his wife, children and wider family.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said the crash investigation remains ongoing.
READ MORE: Diplomat couple’s daughter, 20, killed by van just hours after moving to new city
