(Source: Waco Police Department)

NEW PRESS RELEASE:

During the initial investigation of the quadruple fatality that occurred in the 1000 block of West Hwy. 6 on, 09/07/2008, it was apparent that one of the vehicles involved in this Fatality had been traveling westbound on Hwy 6 and crossed the median. The other vehicle was eastbound in the inside lane. Officers were given information at the scene by witnesses that the Toyota, 4-Runner was the vehicle traveling east on Hwy 6 just before the accident occurred and it was the Chevrolet, pickup that had crossed the median.

Earlier this morning, 09/08/2008, investigators spoke with family members of the deceased about the accident. Investigators learned that the Howeth’s had been in Clifton, Texas and left heading home to Waco around 7:30pm. Investigators also learned that Buis and Rodriguez worked at JC Penny’s located at Richland Mall and had gotten of work shortly before 8:30pm. Investigators, after sunrise, examine the damage on both vehicle and determine that the accident occurred just opposite as to what was first reported. It has now been determined that Samantha Buis, the driver of the Toyota, 4-runner, was traveling westbound on Hwy 6 when for unknown reasons crossed the median striking the Howell’s, Chevrolet, pickup head-on.

PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE:

Officers and emergency personnel from Waco Police Department, McLennan County Sheriffs Department and Texas Department of Public Safety, Waco Fire Department and East Texas Medical Center responded last night, 09/07/2008, around 8:25pm to calls of an injury accident in the 1000 block of West Hwy 6.

When Officers arrived two vehicles were found in the eastbound lanes after having been involved in a head-on collision. The vehicles involved were a 1994 Chevrolet, extended cab, pickup and a 1997, Toyota, 4-Runner. The driver and passenger of the pickup were still in there vehicle while the driver and passenger of the Toyota had been ejected from theirs. All occupants were pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace DeCluitt.

During the initial investigation it was apparent that one of these vehicles had been traveling westbound on Hwy 6 and crossed the median. The other vehicle was eastbound in the inside lane. Officers were given information at the scene by witnesses that the Toyota, 4-Runner was the vehicle traveling east on Hwy 6 just before the accident occurred and it was the Chevrolet, pickup that had crossed the median.

After the deceased were identified and next of kin notified investigators feel that it is possible that the direction of travel on the vehicles involved maybe just opposite of what was initially reported by witnesses. The investigation continues to try and determine exactly which vehicle crossed the median.

Driver of the pickup has been identified as Richard Howeth, (66), and the passenger, his wife, Mary Howeth, (67), both from Waco.

Driver of the Toyota has been identified as Samantha Buis, (17) of China Spring, Texas and the passenger, Donovan Rodriguez, (17), also of China Spring.