Teen killed, another hospitalized after multi-car crash in Bee Cave

by: Chelsea Moreno, KXAN Staff, Jacqulyn Powell

Posted: Oct 20, 2019 / 10:17 PM CDT / Updated: Oct 21, 2019 / 06:52 PM CDT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A 19-year-old is dead and another teen was seriously injured after a multi-car crash in Bee Cave late Sunday night.

Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the crash in the 3500 block of Ranch Road 620 South at 9:45 p.m. The crash happened at the intersection with Falcon Head Road.

Three cars were involved in the crash. One was on its side wedged against a guard rail and another was pinned under the first car. The third car was not significantly involved and the people inside were not seriously injured.

The 16-year-old driver in the car on its side was pinned underneath the dash board. He was extricated and brought to St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. He suffered serious injuries and was in critical condition. As of Monday afternoon, Bee Cave Police said he was in stable condition.

Lake Travis ISD later identified the 16-year-old as one of its students, Brady Reardon. A letter sent out to parents says Reardon is a junior at Lake Travis High School.

The 19-year-old driver of the second car was found lying on the road about 20-feet from the crash site. Emergency medics attempted CPR on him but he was declared dead at the scene.

Bee Cave Police spokesman Lieutenant William Pitmon says it’s unclear whether the 19-year-old was thrown from his car or got out of it.

Police are still investigating to determine whether anyone was at fault, and whether speed or distracted driving might have been a contributing factor.

The Bee Cave Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office Highway Enforcement Accident Team are working together to investigate the cause of the crash.

Lt. Pitmon says rain and darkness can affect visibility at the intersection of 620 and Falcon Head Boulevard.

Lt. Pitmon says a lot of crashes happen along that stretch of RR 620.

“I’m not speaking on this one in particular, but in most cases they are preventable and they’re preventable through safe driving and obeying the laws, And staying off their cellphones, paying attention to driving instead of other things,” Lt. Pitmon said.

The Texas Department of Transportation has plans to make the area safer. TxDOT is proposing several improvements to RM 620 South between SH 71 and Hudson Bend Road. Proposed plans include widening the existing road to a six-lane road, dding a third travel lane in each direction. TxDOT also wants to add raised medians and add a bike and pedestrian shared-use path along the corridor.