3 Family Members Killed in 'Devastating' Texas Car Crash While on the Way to Teen's College Move-In Day

A 14-year-old boy has been orphaned after his parents and older sister died in a crash on a Texas highway.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said a 2004 Cadillac CTS was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 281 just before 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Aug. 14, when it experienced a tire blowout, according to CBS affiliates KEYE-TV and KWTX.

The Cadillac, which was carrying a passenger at the time, subsequently hit a 2024 Kia Telluride traveling on the northbound side of the highway, the Austin American Statesman reported. Three people were inside the Telluride when the crash occurred.

All five people involved in the crash were pronounced dead at the scene. "There was no chance of survival," said DPS trooper Bryan Washko, per the Statesman.

Authorities identified the driver of the Kia as 45-year-old Arvind Mani, of Leander, and the passengers as 40-year-old Pradeepa Arvind, 40, and 17-year-old Andril Arvind.

Texas DPS did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Arvind and Pradeepa “were a wonderful couple” and parents to the late Andril and their 14-year-old son Adiryan, who was not involved in the crash, according to a GoFundMe campaign started to help the teenager.

Rajaraman Venkatachalam, who organized the online fundraiser, said the family “recently celebrated Andril's admission to the University of Texas at Dallas,” where she expected to study computer science prior to her death.

“Tragically, on their way to the UTD campus, the family's vehicle was involved in a devastating accident,” Venkatachalam wrote in the description of the GoFundMe.

Rouse High School principal Vincent Hawkins confirmed in a letter to parents that Andril was a member of their 2024 graduating class, -

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according to the Statesman.

“This news has brought great sorrow to our campus and has impacted many in our community,” Hawkins said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Andril’s family and friends."

Adiryan had “just started 9th grade” the day of the crash, causing him to miss the trip to UTD. Now, Venkatachalam said the young teen “is left without his family.” 

More than $848,000 was raised through the GoFundMe campaign to support Adiryan after losing his loved ones.

“This young boy, with so many dreams and aspirations, needs our help,” Venkatachalam said. The money, he added, will go toward funeral, legal, educational and other expenses.

Authorities also identified the driver of the Cadillac as 31-year-old Jacinto Gudino Duran, and his passenger was identified as 23-year-old Yosilu Gasman Martinez-Lopez, according to KWTX. Both are from Copperas Cove.

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Witnesses said the Cadillac may have been operating at a high rate of speed — perhaps as high as 100 mph — prior to the crash, according to KEYES-TV and the Statesman.

Washko said vehicles’ combined speeds meant the impact was similar to “driving into a concrete wall at 170 mph.” 

"It is one of the worst crashes I have seen in 26 years because of the magnitude of the damage and amount of people lost," the trooper said, per the Statesman.

It is unclear if alcohol was a factor in the crash, though authorities reportedly determined the Cadillac had old tires that needed replacement.

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