Austin, TX : San Marcos teen killed in highway accident on Friday, December 2nd, 2016
This morning at approximately 8:15 a.m., the New Braunfels Police Department and the New Braunfels Fire Department were dispatched to the 3900 block of Interstate Highway 35 North (southbound main lanes – directly in front of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center) for reports of a vehicle versus pedestrian accident.
Emergency crews arrived and found a 17-year-old male from San Marcos lying in the middle of the interstate. EMS personnel arrived and determined that life saving measures would be ineffective, and a Justice of the Peace was called to the scene to make the official death pronouncement. The identity of the victim is being withheld until next of kin has been notified.
The initial investigation (to include eyewitness reports) indicate that prior to the crash the 17-year-old male pulled his pickup truck over into the grassy median, exited the vehicle and intentionally walked directly in front of the oncoming 18-wheeler. The driver of the 18-wheeler, a 52-year-old male from Indiana, was uninjured in the incident. No charges or citations are expected to be filed. Following the incident, all of the main lanes of Interstate Highway 35 South in that area were shut down so that the New Braunfels Police Department Traffic Unit and Criminal Investigations Unit can investigate the scene.
That closure will remain in place until the investigation is complete, which could take several more hours.
Authority: David Ferguson – NBPD Communications Coordinator
12 p.m. Update: Additional counsolers will be availible this afternoon at San Marcos High School.
“I’m told he was a recently enrolled student with San Marcos CISD, but we don’t know his name yet. Extra counselors are preparing to go to the high school,“ said Iris Campbell, Public Information Officer San Marcos CISD.
3 p.m. Update from New Braunfels Police Department: The victim in this morning’s fatal vehicle versus pedestrian accident has been identified as 17- year old Hunter Michael Thornton of San Marcos and next of kin has been notified. Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Jennifer Saunders has ordered an autopsy, and the investigation continues; however, the initial investigation indicates that the cause of the incident was most likely suicide.
4 p.m. Update: San Marcos CISD Superintendant Michael Cardon has posted a letter to the community on the district website.
"I encourage parents to take this opportunity to speak with your children about this situation," he said. "Please contact the school if your child needs additional help, but is unwilling to ask on his or her own.
Counselors are on campus to provide support to students and staff and answer any questions they might have. They will continue to be available to speak with any student who appears upset or who needs help dealing with what has happened. We encourage you to reach out to the school if you think your child may need any help or appears unduly upset by the news."
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San Marcos teen killed in highway accident