Authorities identified 22-year-old Matthew Fernandez, of Ft. Hood, 22-year-old Joshua Smith, of Copperas Cove, and 20-year-old Aaliyah Marie Peinado, of Nipomo, as the victims who lost their lives following a fiery accident that also injured a 20-year-old woman, from Copperas Cove, on Saturday in Bell County.
As per the initial information, the fatal car crash was reported at about 1:56 a.m. in IH-14. The preliminary investigation indicated that a 2017 Toyota Corolla, driven by 22-year-old Matthew Fernandez, was going eastbound in the westbound lane on IH-14 near the Ft. Hood T.J. Mills exit. On the other hand, a 2013 Kia Optima, driven by a 20-year-old woman was traveling westbound when both the vehicles crashed head-on into each other.
Due to the impact, the Toyota got engulfed in flames. Good Samaritans tried to rescue the driver, but to no avail. Fernandez was declared dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson. Two back seat passengers in the Kia were not buckled up at the time of the accident. They also succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
They were identified as 22-year-old Joshua Smith and 20-year-old Aaliyah Marie Peinado. The driver of the Kia was rushed to Baylor Scott and White in Temple with incapacitating injuries. Next of kin for all those victims have been notified, officials mentioned. No additional information has been provided.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
July 18, 2022
Source: KXXV