Horror as five children from same family are killed or in critical after COP CAR crashed into them

A Texas family has been torn apart after a police cruiser plowed into their minivan, leaving two young boys dead and their three sisters hospitalized with critical injuries. The devastating crash, which happened just after 7pm on October 23, involved an on-duty Baytown Police Department officer who was responding to an emergency call. According to investigators, the collision occurred at an intersection in Baytown east of Houston, when the officer's patrol unit slammed into the family's Honda Odyssey carrying five children. The impact was so violent that Life Flight helicopters were called in, and police and bystanders performed CPR. Baytown Police Chief John Stringer called the crash a heartbreaking tragedy. 'This is a tragedy for everyone involved and impacted by this event,' Stringer said. 'Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the children and family involved, as well as our officer, the officer's family, and the Baytown officers who responded to the scene.' The department says the officer, identified as Michael Hightower, had the right of way at the time and was responding to a 'persons with a weapon' emergency when the fatal collision occurred. Days later, the victims' father Clint Russell confirmed brothers, eight-year-old Ryver and ten-year-old Jude Russell, who had earlier been described as showing 'no brain activity' following the crash 'passed peacefully, surrounded by the love and support of family.' 'Jude was a child of adventure and wonder. He had an inquisitive mind and was hungry to learn about the world around him. He was extremely active and enjoyed the beauty of nature. He had such a loving and caring soul. He was a dutiful big brother and cousin,' their heartbroken father wrote in an online tribute. 'Ryver was a child of creativity and happiness. He radiated joy and confidence. He loved making art and sharing that love with others. He enjoyed music and was always dancing and singing. Ryver was a people person and had a magnetic personality.' The tragic update, shared on the family's GoFundMe page, said the boys' parents made the decision to donate their organs, writing how 'in knowing the hearts and minds of their beautiful boys, the family made the decision for them to share the gift of life through organ donation.' 'Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers as they face difficult days ahead,' family friend Chelsea Hulett wrote. 'Your love, compassion and generosity will help them begin to heal.' The crash also left the boys' sisters, aged 16, 14, and 3, with devastating injuries, including multiple fractures and brain bleeding. Hulett said the 16-year-old remains hospitalized and 'is still fighting to overcome her injuries,' while the two younger girls were released this week to recover at home. 'The family is doing everything they can to stay strong - balancing hospital visits, caring for the kids, and trying to cope with the crushing emotional and financial weight of this tragedy,' she wrote. As of this week, donors have contributed more than $40,000 toward the family's $50,000 fundraising goal to cover medical bills, rehabilitation, and childcare costs. Baytown Police said preliminary evidence including dashcam video and witness statements indicated that the officer 'had a green light and the right of way in the intersection where the crash occurred.' Chief Stringer emphasized that the department's Crash Reconstruction Team and the Harris County District Attorney's Vehicular Crimes Division are investigating the incident. 'The department's Traffic Reconstruction Team is investigating in accordance with standard procedures and is cooperating fully to ensure a transparent and factual review of this incident,' Stringer said. 'We ask for patience and objectivity from the community as we gather all information, which may take some time.' The officer, who sustained a serious leg injury, remains in stable condition. While investigators say it may take weeks to complete the full reconstruction report, Baytown officials insist that transparency is their priority. The department says all body camera and dashcam footage will be reviewed by independent authorities.