Several With Local Connections Injured in Highway 90 Wreck

Eight people including several with local ties were hospitalized following a horrific crash at the intersection of SH 71 and US 90-A in Colorado County.

A benefit has been organized in Rock Island later this month to assist members of the Gabler, Belota, Rocha and Navarro families who were injured in the wreck.

According to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash happened around 2:09 p.m. at the four-way stop of Hwy. 71 and 90-A in the community of Altair. Mikenna Gabler, 23 of Garwood, was driving a black 2014 Jeep Commander west on US 90-A. Sara Robinson, 70 of Houston, was driving a black 2008 Kia Optima north on 71.

The report said Gabler was stopped at the stop sign and proceeded west across the intersection when the Kia “disregarded stop sign.” The front of the Kia struck the passenger side of the Jeep.

The Jeep spun two times before rolling over and coming to rest upside down facing east. Four passengers were with Gabler in the Jeep: Tyra Belota, 11; Jalen Rocha, 4; Brax Navarro, 2; and Blaine Navarro, 6. Robinson was with two passengers in the Kia: Ariel Robinson, 30, and Cameron Payne, 5.

All eight sustained injuries. A Lifeflight helicopter transported Gabler to Downtown Herman Hospital in Houston. Colorado County EMS transported Belota and Rocha to Columbus Community Hospital. A helicopter from AirEvac flew Brax Navarro to Downtown Herman. A helicopter from PHI flew Blaine Navarro to Downtown Herman. Garwood EMS tranported Sara Robinson and Ariel Robinson to Oak Bend Hospital in Richmond. Another Lifeflight helicopter flew Payne to Downtown Herman.

At least one of the children remained hospitalized this week.

DPS Trooper Klent Tipton investigated the crash. He ticketed Sara Robinson, the driver of the Kia, for disregarding the stop sign. Gabler, the driver of the Jeep, and all four of her passengers have many family members in La Grange, Schulenburg and surrounding areas. Friends of the families have organized a benefit scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 15 at the Rock Island Community Center (2710 Niles St., Rock Island, TX, 77470).

The fundraiser will include a meal of barbecue chicken, sausage, buttered potatoes, green beans and pasta salad, which will be served at 11 a.m. Advance tickets are available at Audio Video Plus in Schulenburg.

Plates are $10 and serving begins at 11 a.m. There will be a silent auction and a live auction beginning at 12:30 p.m. A washer tournament starts at 2 p.m. For more information, go to the “Belota, Gabler, Navarro & Rocha Family Benefit” page on Facebook.

Those wanting to donate toward medical costs can visit http://spot.fund/PT6Onh.