17-year-old and her parents killed in crash on college move-in day, Texas reports say
Five people were killed, including a 17-year-old girl and her parents, in a “devastating” crash in Texas, according to police and loved ones of the victims.
“It is one of the worst crashes I have seen in 26 years because of the magnitude of the damage and amount of people lost,” Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Bryan Washko told the Austin American-Statesman of the Aug. 14 crash in Lampasas County.
A Cadillac driven by 31-year-old Jacinto Gudino Duran had crashed into the Arvind family’s Kia when the right rear tire of the Cadillac blew out and the car skidded into the opposite lane, KWKT reported.
Duran, who died in the crash along with a passenger, was observed traveling “at a high rate of speed” prior to the crash, KEYE reported. The passenger was identified by the American-Statesman as Yosilu Gasman Martinez, 23.
The driver and both passengers in the Kia — 45-year-old Mani Arvind, 40-year-old Pradeepa Arvind and 17-year-old Andril Arvind — died at the scene, according to KCEN. Both vehicles sustained “extensive damage.”
The crash happened on Andril’s move-in day at University of Texas-Dallas, where she had enrolled to study computer science, according to a GoFundMe.
“August 14th, 2024, was supposed to be a day of excitement and new beginnings as (the family) prepared for Andril’s move-in day at the university,” the GoFundMe says. “Tragically, on their way to the UTD campus, the family’s vehicle was involved in a devastating accident.”
Andril graduated this year from Rouse High School and was a member of the school’s rhythm dance team. She was known “as a bright light” and an “incredible friend and confidant.”
Adiryan Arvind, the 14-year-old son of Pradeepa and Mani, was unable to join his family because he had just started ninth grade, the GoFundMe states. The “devastating accident” has now left him without parents and his only sibling.
The boy is now living with his uncle in Austin, the fundraiser said.
Lampasas County is about an 85-mile drive northwest from Austin.
This story was originally published August 19, 2024 at 8:22 AM with the headline "17-year-old and her parents killed in crash on college move-in day, Texas reports say."