Two separate crashes in Chambers County on Friday night left five people dead, including three juveniles, and sent one other person to the hospital, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
DPS investigators said the first crash happened about 7 p.m. on FM 563 just south of Interstate 10. A driver in a 2005 Chrysler 300 was traveling north when the car veered off the roadway to the left and struck a tree.
The driver, identified as Kara Beagle, 37, of Liberty, and three passengers, identified as Jayshawn Godfrey, 19, of Houston; a female minor; and a male minor, died at the scene, DPS said.
The second crash happened in Winnie about 8:45 p.m. DPS said a minor driving a 2011 Nissan Rogue was traveling south on First Street at an unsafe speed, disregarded a stop sign, left the roadway, and struck a solid fixture.
The driver died at the scene, DPS said. A passenger, also identified as a minor, was taken to Winnie Community Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
DPS said it is investigating both crashes.
As the Winnie school community grieves after the death of a student and injuries to a second in the Winnie crash, Liberty ISD said it is mourning the deaths of two students in the earlier crash. DPS has not released the names of the minors.
In a Facebook post, Liberty ISD said: “Panther Family, We are heartbroken at the loss our community is experiencing following a fatal car accident involving LHS students. When words fall short, all that we can do is come together to support one another while honoring the privacy of the families who are grieving.”
The district said the tragedy “has deeply affected many of the families, friends, classmates, and teachers that we have spoken to and visited with throughout the night and this morning.” Liberty ISD said that beginning Monday, counselors and members of its ministerial alliance will be available on campus for students who need someone to talk to, and that family grief resources are available at http://libertyisd.net/health.
“As a school community, we will continue to care for one another with compassion in the days ahead,” the post said. “We will only share additional information as appropriate and in coordination with the families.”
East Chambers ISD also said it is withholding the names of the students involved in the Winnie crash. In a statement, Superintendent Andrea Smith said: “Dear East Chambers Families, With heavy hearts, we share that two students were involved in an overnight accident, and one student has passed away. We are deeply grieving as a school community, and our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for the family, we are not releasing the name.”
Smith encouraged families to support their children as they process the loss, adding, “Grief looks different for everyone, and all feelings are valid.” The district said additional counselors will be available at the junior high and high school on Monday to support students and staff. “Please know we are here for you and your family, and we will walk through this together,” Smith said.