On March 5, 2025, at approximately 12:07 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched to a major motor vehicle accident on US HWY 281 N at Ranch Road 1323. The first units arrived just five minutes later, at 12:12 p.m., to find a catastrophic three-vehicle crash with 6-7 critically injured individuals. This included multiple patients trapped in their vehicles, prompting an immediate upgrade of the response to a Mass Casualty Alarm.
A Mass Casualty Alarm is triggered in situations like this when the severity of the accident requires a larger-scale response, ensuring that regional hospitals and trauma centers are prepared for multiple critically injured patients arriving at once. In this case, over 45 public safety units swiftly responded to the scene, including four ground ambulances, four helicopters, and numerous command units.
Despite the valiant efforts of emergency responders, three victims, including two adults and one child, were tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Extensive resuscitative efforts, including the administration of blood products, were performed in an attempt to save them. Additionally, two patients were airlifted by helicopter to a regional trauma center, while another patient was transported by ground.
