BASTROP COUNTY, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal accident that happened May 10 on Texas 71 near McAllister Road. Officials said a Tesla traveling the wrong way struck a Nissan.
Authorities identified two of the deceased as Chloe Rios, 18, and Ja Michael Houston, 20. Emergency personnel pronounced them dead at the scene.
Rios and Houston rode in a 2010 Nissan Sentra traveling eastbound at 2:30 a.m. when a 2022 Tesla traveling west in the eastbound lanes struck the passenger side. The Nissan driver attempted to swerve, but the Tesla also veered left, leading to the impact.
A 33-year-old male driving the Tesla was transported to the hospital, where he later died. Officials confirmed he was not wearing a seatbelt.
Authorities continue to investigate the accident and urge anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
Chloe Rios and Ja Houston tragically killed in Bastrop County highway accident
HEAD-ON CRASH INVESTIGATION
The most common cause of head-on accidents is driver error. However, they also are caused by speeding, distracted driving, drunken driving, poor road design, inexperienced drivers, and confusion on the part of a driver.
According to AAA, from 2015 to 2018, there were more than 2,000 deaths from head-on collisions while driving on divided highways.
“Contributing factors to be examined include road conditions, visibility, and lighting,” said Candice Bond, a Managing Partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of a victim may pursue a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.
“Stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Bond.
“We understand just what families must go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
If you or a family member have been involved in a situation similar to this article and would like to speak to our national legal analyst Candice Bond free of charge, please use the contact information found on this page
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
