Two Teens Die in Highway Accident, Passersby Help Save a Third

Two teens died in a car fire on SH 71 Saturday and another escaped with serious injuries.

The crash happened around 3:04 p.m. at the Rocky Creek Bridge on SH 71 east of La Grange. The three teens were in a white 2015 Hyundai Accent, according to a report from Trooper Louis Gabler with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The vehicle was traveling east in the left lane. Gabler said it appeared that the driver attempted to change lanes into the right lane but never corrected the steering. The car entered the south bar ditch and vaulted off the concrete embankment at Rocky Creek. The vehicle went over the creek and crashed into the concrete embankment on the other side. The vehicle caught fire upon impact. The back seat passenger, 19-year-old Madison Ang of Missouri City, managed to get out of the vehicle.

Gabler said Ang reported that she called out to the front passengers but they didn’t respond. The car was fully engulfed in flames. Gabler said the driver and front seat passenger were likely deceased or unconscious at that time. The vehicle slid down to the water’s edge and was completely destroyed by fire when first responders arrived. Gabler said several Good Samaritans arrived and helped Ang get to safety. He said Ang suffered very serious injuries including numerous broken bones.

A medical helicopter from PHI in Columbus flew Ang to St. David’s Hospital in South Austin where she underwent several surgeries. Gabler said she is recovering. The driver and front seat passenger were identified as Surya Karkada, 19, and Mahit Bunnam, also 19. Both men were from Missouri City.