Latest news with #KodyLaneTalley
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Families seek justice after man arrested in crash that killed five friends from North Texas
Grieving families are demanding justice after a crash on Highway 281 in Burnet County claimed the lives of five young women from the Dallas area. The victims — Thalia Salinas, Ruby Cruz, Brianna Valadez, Desiree Cervantez, and Jacqueline Velazco — were close friends, described by loved ones as "like sisters." The crash happened two weeks ago as the group was headed to Kingsland to celebrate Thalia's 23rd birthday. According to investigators, a truck pulling a livestock trailer veered into oncoming traffic, hitting multiple vehicles. The SUV carrying the women flipped and caught fire. The driver, Kody Lane Talley, is facing five counts of manslaughter, but families say that's not enough. They're questioning why Talley — who has 22 prior criminal charges, including two DWIs — was not tested for alcohol or drugs at the scene, and why he was arrested 11 days later. "Honestly, right now, I'm speechless. Still shocked. I just want the truth to come out. I just want justice to be served. These girls deserve justice," said Ana Cruz, Ruby's sister. "We would always go on our sister dates. And I'm going to miss those so much. She was my everything. She was my other half. I know everything about her. I know her favorite color was pink. I know her favorite songs. I know everything about her," Cruz added. "They've been friends pretty much since, like, middle school. High school. So whenever I came to my mom's house, they were always all here," said Sal Salinas, Thalia's brother. The family was just 45 minutes behind the group when they learned of the crash. "As we were on our way over there, the maps redirected, and it said that there was a crash. So, I mean, we had no idea. We were just 45 minutes behind her," Salinas said. Court documents reviewed by CBS News Texas reporter Briseda Holguin reveal that Talley left the scene before speaking with troopers. Dash cam footage reportedly shows Talley's vehicle striking both cars, and data from the truck indicates the accelerator pedal was fully pressed seconds before impact. "I think the more I learn about what's happened and details come in, it's just anger," said one family member. "We were made aware that that individual wasn't arrested or tested for alcohol or marijuana—anything. So it's, you know, we're very confused," another added. Three of the families are now being represented by the same attorney as they continue to seek justice for their daughters.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Central Texas man charged in fiery crash that killed 5 Dallas-area women on birthday trip, DPS says
A Central Texas man is facing five counts of manslaughter after a fiery crash near Austin last month killed five Dallas-area women on a birthday trip, authorities said Wednesday. Kody Lane Talley, 37, of Leander, is being held on a $1 million bond in the Burnet County Jail, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The crash happened about 6 p.m. on July 25 on U.S. 281 near Park Road 4 in Burnet County. Talley was driving a 2018 Ram 4500 pickup truck pulling a livestock trailer northbound when he veered into the southbound lanes. DPS said his truck struck a Chevrolet Malibu head-on, then collided with a Mercedes SUV, which overturned and caught fire. All five occupants of the SUV — Thalia Salinas, Ruby Cruz, Brianna Valadez, Desiree Cervantez, and Jacqueline Velazco Ventura — were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims, all in their early 20s, were on a weekend trip to the Central Texas community of Kingsland to celebrate Salinas' 23rd birthday. Salinas' family told CBS News Texas the five were like sisters and had been friends since middle school. "Words can't describe how devastated we are," the family said in a statement. "We were en route to celebrate Thalia's birthday in Kingsland, Texas, at her favorite place — on the lake — with all her favorite people. Then we got news of the girls' passing away in the worst accident we could ever imagine. We will never recover from losing Thalia, Brianna, Ruby, Jacki,e and Desi." GoFundMe accounts have been established for each of the five families to help cover funeral and memorial expenses. The investigation into the crash is continuing, DPS said.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
DPS: Williamson County man arrested related to crash that killed 5 people on US 281
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Williamson County man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a deadly multi-vehicle crash that killed five people in Burnet County on July 25, a press release from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said. PREVIOUS: 5 dead after multi-vehicle crash in Burnet County DPS identified the truck driver involved in the crash as Kody Lane Talley. He was booked into the Burnet County jail and faces five counts of manslaughter, the release said. As of Wednesday, an attorney has not been listed for Talley. KXAN will update this information if that changes. Around 6 p.m., DPS responded to the crash near U.S. 281 near Park Road 4. A preliminary investigation showed that a pickup truck hauling a livestock trailer was traveling northbound on U.S. 281 when it veered into the southbound lanes and hit a car head-on. The truck continued in an arc before hitting an SUV, DPS said. The SUV overturned and caught fire, and according to DPS, all five occupants in the vehicle died at the scene. DPS identified them as Thalia Salinas, Ruby Cruz, Brianna Valadez, Desiree Cervantez and Jaqueline Velazco Ventura. Next of kin for the deceased have been notified, DPS said. According to DPS, the drivers and passengers of the other vehicles had non-life-threatening injuries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
