Carl Rice Obituary, Death; West Texas crash leaves five dead, including three children.

Carl Rice Obituary, Death – A devastating crash in West Texas claimed the lives of five people, including three young children, after two vehicles collided on a rural highway early Friday morning. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the accident happened on U.S. Highway 385, just south of the town of Crane, approximately 30 miles from Odessa. Investigators say the collision occurred when a southbound sport utility vehicle veered into the northbound lane and struck a pickup truck head-on.

The driver of the SUV was identified as 23-year-old Bailey Nisbet of Baytown. Tragically, Nisbet died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. Also killed were the three children traveling in her vehicle: 5-year-old Kimber Nisbet, 3-year-old Kamberee Nisbet, and 11-month-old Kasen Nisbet, all from Baytown.

The driver of the pickup truck was identified as 67-year-old Carl Rice of McCamey. He, too, died as a result of the collision. No other passengers were reported in his vehicle.

Authorities say the crash occurred during the early morning hours under clear weather conditions, ruling out poor visibility or inclement weather as contributing factors. DPS officials continue to investigate what caused Nisbet’s vehicle to drift across lanes into oncoming traffic. They have not yet determined whether fatigue, distraction, or another factor played a role.

The violent collision left the SUV and pickup truck heavily damaged, requiring emergency responders to close part of the highway as they worked to secure the scene. Both vehicles were towed from the site for further examination as part of the ongoing investigation.

News of the tragedy has rippled across communities in West Texas and beyond. Friends and family members of the Nisbet family are mourning the sudden loss of a young mother and her three children. The small ages of the children — two preschoolers and an infant — have added to the heartbreak felt by those who knew them.

For the community of McCamey, the death of Carl Rice, a longtime resident, has also been deeply felt. Neighbors remembered him as a familiar face around town and expressed shock at the news of his passing.

Officials with DPS emphasized that the case remains open. Investigators are reviewing evidence from the crash site and may also look at vehicle data, cell phone records, and toxicology results to better understand what led to the collision. At this stage, no official conclusions have been made.

Highway 385, where the accident occurred, is a heavily traveled route in the region, carrying both local and commercial traffic. The roadway, like many rural Texas highways, is two-lane and can be particularly hazardous when drivers drift across the center line. Safety experts note that head-on collisions on such roads often result in fatalities due to the combined speeds of both vehicles.

Authorities have taken the opportunity to remind drivers about the importance of remaining alert, especially during early morning or late-night hours when fatigue and distraction are more likely to occur. They stressed that even a momentary lapse in attention can have devastating consequences.

The loss of Bailey Nisbet and her children — Kimber, Kamberee, and Kasen — has drawn an outpouring of grief in Baytown, where the family lived. Community members have begun organizing support for surviving relatives, offering prayers, donations, and condolences. Vigils and memorial gatherings are expected to be planned in the coming days as loved ones come together to remember the young family.

As investigators work to piece together the details of the crash, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of how fragile life can be on the road. For both the Nisbet family and the community of McCamey, the impact of this loss will be long-lasting, leaving behind sorrow and unanswered questions.