Four Killed Traveling to Van Halen Concert in Dallas

A car full of Van Halen fans slid into oncoming traffic while navigating a wet Texas highway on their way to see the band play in Dallas last Tuesday night. Antonio Garcia, his two children and his 42-year-old girlfriend all died after Garcia’s Ford Explorer collided with a tractor-trailer headed south on Alternate U.S. Highway 77.

Family members confirmed that the 39-year-old father, Christine Salazar, nine-year-old Brandon Michael Garcia and 10-year-old Anthony Cesar Garcia were driving from Brownsville, Texas to see Van Halen play at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Victoria Advocate reports that Garcia’s vehicle slid into the southbound lane and was struck by a tractor-trailer driven by Thomas Jimenez.

The band’s bassist, Wolfgang Van Halen, sent his thoughts out to the mother of the two children via Twitter: “My thoughts and prayers go to Anabel Salazar today… Such a heartbreaking story.”

Another vehicle was also involved in the accident when the truck jack-knifed into the northbound lane. The four passengers of that vehicle were all treated for minor injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not hurt.

The rockers have one date left on their summer 2012 schedule after postponing the remainder of the dates in May. They’ll play June 26 in New Orleans, La.