LAMPASAS, TX – Five people died Wednesday in a wrong-way crash along Highway 281 in south-central Lampasas County, reports Austin American-Statesman.

The accident happened around 5:45 a.m. just six miles north of Lampasas, which is about 74 miles northwest of Austin.

Police say that a southbound 2004 Cadillac CTS entered the northbound lanes of traffic after a tire malfunction and collided head-on with a 2024 Kia Telluride carrying three people. The Kia then ignited.

The three occupants of the Kia — a father, mother, and 17-year-old daughter — died at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident. Authorities identified the parents as 45-year-old Arvind Mani and 40-year-old Pradeepa Arvind.

The driver and passenger of the Cadillac also died in the collision. They’ve been identified as 31-year-old Jacinto Gudino Duran and 23-year-old Yosilu Gasman-Martinez.

A full investigation is underway.

When you’re grieving the loss of a loved one to a car accident, the legal process can seem overwhelming. If you’ve experienced such a loss in Lampasas County, please know that the greater Austin-area wrongful death attorneys at Funk & Associates are at your service. Our team can help your family pursue just recourse for your loss. Call us today at (512) 472-3865 or reach us online for a free consultation.