EULA, TX — A four-vehicle crash on State Highway 36, 8 miles southwest of Eula in Callahan County, resulted in the death of two individuals and injuries to two others, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The crash occurred at 2:32 p.m. on March 10, 2024.
Officials report that a 2018 BMW driven by 19-year-old Theophilus Heryanto of College Station attempted an unsafe passing maneuver at a high speed, leading to a head-on crash with a 2018 Nissan Versa traveling in the opposite direction.
The Nissan's driver, 26-year-old Marianna Elizabeth Pickens-Quiroz from Round Rock, and her passenger, Christopher Scott Vanderslice, also 26, from Hutto, were pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace, Steve Odom.
Following the initial impact, a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 31-year-old Brandon Scott Runnels of Lubbock, crashed into the rear of Heryanto's BMW.
A 2024 Honda CR-V, attempting to avoid the wreckage, struck debris. The CR-V's driver, 35-year-old Roberta Elise Gooch from Magnolia, and her juvenile passenger were treated at the scene and released.
Heryanto sustained serious injuries and was transported to Hendrick North Hospital, along with his passenger, 28-year-old Jinyong Park from College Station, who is listed in critical condition. Both were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The Texas Highway Patrol's preliminary investigation suggests that the BMW's attempt to overtake the Chevrolet on the westbound lane of SH 36 without sufficient clearance initiated the fatal sequence of events.
The crash occurred under clear weather conditions and on dry roads.
Trooper Matthew P. Howe led the investigation, assisted by several other troopers from the Baird, Abilene, Sweetwater, and Abilene divisions of the Texas Highway Patrol.
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