5 killed in Wednesday Lampasas County crash

LAMPASAS, Texas ( FOX 44 ) — The Department of Public Safety confirms all five people in two cars involved in a Wednesday morning crash near Lampasas were killed.

DPS Sgt. Bryan Washko said the crash occurred about 5:45 a.m. on U.S. Highway 281, about six miles north of the city of Lampasas.

Investigating troopers reported a 2004 Cadillac CTS driven by 31-year-old Jacinto Gudino Duran, of Copperas Cove, was going south on U.S. 281. A 2024 Kia Telluride driven by 45-year-old Mani Arvind, of Leander, was going north. Troopers working the crash said evidence at the scene indicated the right rear tire of the Cadillac had a blowout. Troopers said witnesses reported the Cadillac had passed them at a very high rate of speed.

Troopers said the blowout caused the Cadillac to go out of control, enter a side skid and cross into the northbound lanes into the path of the Kia.

The Kia collided with the passenger side of the Cadillac in the inside northbound lane. Sgt. Washko noted both vehicles were heavily damaged.

The drivers of both vehicles were reported dead at the scene.

Also killed were all passengers in both cars. The passenger in the Cadillac who died was a 23-year-old woman believed to be from Copperas Cove whose identity initially was not released pending notification of next of kin.

Passengers killed in the Kia were identified as 40-year-old Pradeepa Arvind and 17-year-old Andril Arvind.

All five victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

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