Texas Family Featured in Safety Campaign
A Texas family is sharing their story of surviving a 2017 crash to highlight the importance of car seat safety.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Family Travel
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Emilce Ferreira and Julio Torres have joined a new Texas Department of Transportation campaign promoting passenger safety. The family survived a 2017 collision thanks to their use of seat belts and a car seat.
Why it matters
The campaign aims to educate motorists on the life-saving potential of proper seat belt and child restraint use. By sharing real-world experiences, officials hope to increase compliance and reduce passenger injuries across Texas.
In a 2017 crash occurring between San Antonio and Austin, Santiago Torres was 3 years old and properly secured in a car seat. The now 11-year-old and his parents from Elmendorf, Texas, emerged from the collision with only minor injuries.
The players
Texas Department of Transportation
This government agency is responsible for maintaining the state highway system and promoting road safety.
Emilce Ferreira
She is an Elmendorf resident who participated in a car seat safety event to share her family experience.
Julio Torres
He is an Elmendorf resident and parent who advocates for the use of proper vehicle restraints.
Santiago Torres
He is an 11-year-old who survived a vehicle collision while properly secured in a car seat.
The details
During their 2017 trip, another driver struck a concrete barrier before colliding with the family vehicle. The family attributes their survival and limited injuries to their strict adherence to seat belt use and proper child car seat installation.
Timeline
The family was involved in a vehicle crash in September 2017.
The family is featured in the new campaign as of September 2026.
Travel Outlook
This awareness campaign follows a pattern set by Texas child passenger safety seat laws, which mandate specific restraint requirements for young travelers. The outreach effort emphasizes that these regulations are designed to mitigate risks during common transit periods.
Travelers should verify that their child safety seats are correctly installed before any long-distance trip, as proper fitment is critical during an emergency. Following state guidelines for car seats can significantly reduce the risk of injury for younger passengers while driving in Texas.
The takeaway
Using seat belts and car seats is a vital, non-negotiable step for any family preparing for a road trip. The primary takeaway is that consistent use of safety equipment remains the most effective defense against the unpredictability of other drivers on the road.
Further reading
Learn more about ensuring passenger safety on your next trip by visiting our Family Travel section.
Live Poll
Do you make it a priority to ensure all passengers are properly buckled in your vehicle?
