A child and an adult were killed in a head-on collision northeast of Gillett Monday.

Killeen residents Manuel Sanchez (27) and 6-year-old Antonio Sanchez were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. A third victim, 3-year-old Nyalli Sanchez, was transported to University Hospital in San Antonio with severe head injuries and a broken leg.

The wreck happened at about 3:45 p.m. Monday when Manuel Sanchez began to veer his 2006 Honda into oncoming traffic in the westbound lane. Sanchez and his two children were the only ones in the car.

A 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Kenneth Hester of Temple collided with the Honda after both vehicles made attempts to evade one another. The collision forced the Honda partially underneath the tractor-trailer, trapping the three-year-old girl.

DPS Trooper Steven Bailey and passing-by DPS Narcotics Service Captain Jose Ortiz, III were the first police to arrive on the scene. Also, Austin firefighter John Green and Lockhart nurse Linda Haden stopped to render aid.

Karnes County Rescue was on their way with the Jaws of Life, but Bailey noticed the girl’s head was pinned between the driver’s seat and doorpost. She was in shock and gasping for air and Bailey moved to get her out immediately.

Putting his right leg through the door, he pushed hard on the driver’s seat and pulled back on the car doorpost while Green pulled the girl into the back seat. Bailey then crawled into the back and extracted her while Green held the car roof open.

After the girl was free from the vehicle, Haden administered first aid to stabilize her breathing. She was soon after transported via helicopter to University Hospital in San Antonio where she remains in stable condition despite the severity of her initial injuries.

DPS Sergeant Brad Freeman commended Bailey’s actions.

"What he did is what the public expects from us. He had a chance to go in and … make a difference out there. He put himself (in) danger to help rescue a child," Freeman said.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the wreck.

Bailey said there was no indication how or why Manuel Sanchez’s Honda may have drifted into oncoming traffic.

All four victims had been wearing proper safety belts and restraints.