A tragic incident on Highway 114 in Rhome has resulted in the death of an eight-year-old elementary student, prompting urgent calls for enhanced safety measures at a notoriously hazardous intersection.
On January 22, Matteo Hernandez lost his life following a serious car accident while attempting to cross westbound Highway 114. Authorities report that the vehicle he was in, driven by his grandmother, Ramona Hernandez, was struck by an oncoming pickup truck. The driver failed to see the car due to restricted visibility caused by traffic congestion on Alliance Boulevard.
The collision occurred as they were turning onto Alliance Boulevard. The pickup truck hit the passenger side of Hernandez’s vehicle, resulting in a devastating chain reaction that involved a third vehicle. Despite efforts by paramedics to revive Matteo at the scene, he succumbed to his injuries en route to Cook Children’s Hospital.
In addition to the tragic loss of her son, Ramona Hernandez suffered serious injuries, including a broken hip and spinal fracture. Fortunately, the driver of the pickup truck was unharmed, and a passenger in the third vehicle declined medical attention.
Calls for Change
Matteo’s mother, Maria Rodriguez, is advocating for the installation of a traffic light at the intersection, which she describes as perilous. She asserts that her son’s death was preventable.
Rodriguez recounted that another driver had signaled her mother to proceed, leading to the fatal moment when the pickup truck struck their car. “That’s when my son got hit,” she explained. “Someone struck the car and hit right in his door.”
Despite the efforts of paramedics to stabilize Matteo, he sadly passed away during the transport to the hospital. Rodriguez has initiated a petition for traffic light installation, which has garnered over 10,000 signatures, reflecting community support for her cause.
“We have been asking for a traffic light at that intersection for years,” Rodriguez stated emphatically. “I cannot let this happen to another family. I cannot imagine another mom grieving her son or daughter because of the inaction of people who have the power to change things.”
Investigation and Future Actions
The Rhome Police Department is currently investigating the incident. The police chief mentioned that concerns regarding the intersection have been raised by veteran officers in the past, and previous leadership had approached the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) seeking solutions to enhance safety at this location.
