On July 9, 2023, at approximately 2:40pm, the New Braunfels Police Department and the New Braunfels Fire Department were called to the intersection of State Highway 46 West at T-Bar-M Drive for a report of a major motor vehicle accident with multiple injuries.
Officers and paramedics arrived to find a head on collision between a red Ford Explorer and a blue Honda Pilot with a total of 7 occupants suffering from varying degrees of injuries. The subsequent investigation revealed that the Honda Pilot was legally in the center turn lane waiting for an opportunity to turn left onto T-Bar-M Drive when the Ford Explorer crossed over into the turn lane and struck the Honda Pilot head on.
The front seat passenger of the Ford Explorer suffered critical injuries in the crash, was transported to Christus New Braunfels Hospital, and was later pronounced deceased. He has since been identified as 51-year old Jose Medrano Perez of Plantersville, Texas, and next of kin has been notified.
There were four occupants of the Honda Pilot: two adults and two children, all from Magnolia, TX. A 40-year female and a 12-year female were transported to University Hospital in San Antonio by ground EMS in critical but stable condition. A 9-year old male was also taken to University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and the adult male in the vehicle did not require EMS.
A 41-year old male from New Braunfels was a backseat passenger in the Ford Explorer. He suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash and was taken to a New Braunfels-area hospital
The driver of the Ford Explorer, a 16-year old male from Tamaulipas, Mexico, was also transported to a local hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. During the investigation, he exhibited signs of intoxication, prompting a DWI investigation. A blood search warrant was issued and he was then detained. The teenager, who is not being identified because he is a juvenile, was then transported to the Guadalupe County Juvenile Detention Facility and charged with Intoxication Manslaughter.
The area of Hwy 46 West where the accident occurred was partially closed for several hours following the crash in order to conduct an accident reconstruction investigation and to clear the scene of debris. This incident remains under investigation by the NBPD Traffic Unit and additional charges may be pending.
