|
Police: Teenagers’ SUV Crossed Center Median In Deadly Head-On Collision
Police determined Monday that an SUV in which two Central Texas teenagers were returning home from a local mall jumped a median barrier and slammed into an oncoming pickup truck, killing the teens and the couple in the truck.
|
|
128 Comments 
Photos 
(September 8, 2008)—Waco police determined Monday that an SUV in which two China Spring High School seniors were returning home from the Richland Mall jumped a median barrier on Highway 6 Sunday night and slammed head on into an oncoming pickup truck in which a Waco couple was driving home from Clifton.
The driver of the SUV, Samantha Buis, 17, of China Spring and her passenger, Donovan Rodriguez, 17, also of China Spring were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said both were thrown from the vehicle.
They both worked at the J. C. Penney store at the mall and were returning home at the end of the workday around 8:30 p.m., police said.
The driver of the pick-up, Richard Howeth, 66, and his wife, Mary Howeth, 67, both of Waco, were also pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses told officers Sunday night that Howeth’s Chevrolet pickup crossed the median and crashed into the Toyota 4-Runner that Buis was driving.
But after investigators talked with the victims’ families early Monday morning, they determined that just the opposite had happened.
Investigators don’t know why the SUV crossed into the oncoming lane, however.
The collision left the vehicles almost unrecognizable.
Authorities closed the highway to traffic in both directions through the night and into the early morning hours while Department of Public Safety investigators assisted Waco police in reconstructing.
Grief counselors were available Monday at China Spring High School, where classmates learned of the deaths of the two students.
[More Local And State News][More National News][More Business News]
[Latest Religion News][Latest Health News][Latest Entertainment News]
[OffBeat News][News From Our Town][Latest Soldier Stories]
[Sports][Weather][Blogs]
Save some money! Save a tree!
Click here to get your Morning News delivered directly to your email.
Latest Comments
Posted by: Eric Location: Waco on Sep 9, 2008 at 11:39 PM Why are some of you people out there concerned about which vehicle crossed the center line? IT DOES NOT MATTER!!! Four local friends died. Two just starting their lives and two in their golden years. You people are wrong for trying to find "who" is at fault. IT DOES NOT MATTER. My condolences to all those involved. Please do not talk about my brother and his girlfriend.. im already emotinal that i dont have a captian on my team just give us a break please Love you donovan (l)...
I Did Not No Donavan Nither Samantha But Im So Torn From This Event! I Would Erase Time And Prevent This Because They Were Loved.And To Lose Them Would Be Tragic :( Sorry --Teslyn♥ Rip
I had the pleasure of being Samantha's math teacher her freshman year at Cedar Hill. She was a beautiful person and an excellent student. She always spoke her mind in class and knew how to keep the other students in check. I am saddened by this tragic event and I offer my condolences to her family. Although we hate to lose her, I take comfort in knowing that she is now looking out for the rest of us. R.I.P. Samantha. I loved ya like my own child.
 |
Double
Dollar Deals Half Price Deals at Central Texas restaurants and businesses. A new deal every Thursday at 7:00am. |
 |
Law
Line This free service can help you find answers to your legal questions about personal injury, criminal law, bankruptcy, family law and more. |
 |
Army Way Learn all about the symbols, traditions, and customs of the US Army. |
Quality Process Director - Coryell Memorial Healthcare System in Gatesville - a community based facility: Join our team as the Quality Improvement Director where you will have a strong voice in all aspects of care, from patient care to employee safety. Apply today!
Also, take a look at the most recent jobs posted to Job Board TV at KWTX.com: View More Jobs.
