Fatal wreck claims two students, injures third

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

Two local teens were killed and a third seriously injured on Wednesday when they were involved in a three-vehicle collision on Highway 21 near the intersection of FM 1854.

According to a report released by the Mustang Ridge Police Department on Friday morning, Lockhart High School students Berenice, Zared and Deimie Cas

telan were traveling eastbound on Highway 21 when their vehicle was struck by an 18-wheeler that had lost control on the wet road.

First responders at the scene suggested the 18-wheeler may have turned sideways across both lanes of traffic when it lost control, first striking a 2002 Ford van before colliding with the Castelans’ car.

The driver of the van, 56-year-old Patty Patrick, of Cibolo, was transported to Brackenridge Hospital in fair condition.

Berenice and Zared Castellan, 17 and 16, both died at the scene. Deimie was transported to Brackenridge in critical condition, but was said to be improving on Friday morning.

Sources suggested the girls may have been returning home from CCD classes at their church when the accident occurred.

Although the collision is still under investigation by the Mustang Ridge Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, charges have not yet been filed against 42-year-old Laredo resident Francisco Ponce, the driver of the truck. However, charges are pending.

Ponce was treated for minor injuries in connection with the incident.
Services for the Castelan girls, cousins, are scheduled next week.

A visitation with the family will be held on Monday, Nov. 2, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Lockhart High School Gymnasium. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at San Francisco Javier Catholic Church, 9110 Highway 183 South, Austin, Texas 78747.

Arrangements for the girls are being handled by McCurdy Funeral Home in Lockhart.