5 die in crash on way to Disney World

CALHOUN, La. (AP) — A 16-year-old boy driving relatives from Texas to a vacation in Disney World apparently fell asleep at the wheel, causing the sport utility vehicle to veer off the highway and roll over, killing three children and two adults, authorities said today.

The teen, who had a driver's license but was not identified, was charged with reckless operation of a vehicle after the crash on Interstate 20 near Calhoun at 11 p.m. Wednesday, said state police spokesman Michael Reichardt.

He and two additional passengers suffered minor injuries.

Authorities identified the adults killed as school teachers Michael and Trudi Hardman of Terrell, Texas. The children killed were ages 4, 7 and 15. Their names were not immediately released. None of those killed wore seat belts but the driver did, officials said. Reichardt said all the children in the vehicle were related to one another as siblings or half-siblings.

Michael Hardman was a second-grade teacher at an elementary school in Terrell, said Terrell Independent School District Superintendent Michael French. He had worked in the district for two years, French said.