4 killed in Bastrop County crash were headed to dance competition, says Huntsville ISD

BASTROP, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - Three of the four killed in a Bastrop County crash were current students traveling to watch a sibling perform in a national dance competition in San Antonio, Huntsville ISD said in a statement Sunday. 

The district identified the three siblings killed as an eleventh-grader at Huntsville High School, an eighth grader at Mance Park Middle School, and a sixth grader at Huntsville Intermediate School. The fourth was identified as a family friend who graduated from Huntsville High School in 2018. The names have not been released.

According to Huntsville ISD, all four were traveling with the mother of the siblings to San Antonio to watch an older sibling perform with the Huntsville High School Grenadier Guard Drill Team at a national competition. The mother was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas and according to the district was last reported to be in critical but stable condition.

The district said it has arranged for the assistance of additional school personnel, including counselors, psychologists and administrators, to help students and community members cope with the loss beginning Monday, April 1. 

"Our goal at Huntsville ISD is to always provide a safe and caring learning environment for our students," the district said in the statement. "We assure you that we will continue to provide ongoing support for students in order that they may succeed mentally, physically and emotionally."

After reviewing surveillance video from a nearby gun store, the Texas Department of Public Safety was able to determine that the car with the siblings was traveling west on State Highway 21 and stopped at Quarter Horse Loop, waiting for oncoming traffic to clear before turning left. 

A second car struck them, and according to surveillance video, was traveling 58 mph five seconds prior to impact. This could indicate a possible distraction like a cell phone, according to Texas DPS. 

Neither the driver or the passenger of the second vehicle was injured, said DPS.