3 former Texas high school athletes die in fiery crash as car swerves off road during police chase
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion advised
MILAM COUNTY, TEXAS: Three former high school athletes in Texas have died in a fiery car crash followed by a high-speed chase, authorities said. Police attempted to pursue 19-year-old Phabian Byanum around 4.pm, but the suspect did not stop and instead gave authorities a high-speed chase on US 190 between the towns of Cameron and Milano outside Austin.
Phabian Byanum was accompanied by fellow passengers Davarius Bynaum, 20, and Malik Thomas, 21, when the car crash occurred police said. It is not clear if the Phabian and Davarius were related. All three young men had recently graduated and were athletes at Cameron High School.
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Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore claims Phabian Bynaum was driving more than 20 miles over the speed limit on US 190, Fox 7 reports. According to a press release from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Phabian Bynaum lost control of his vehicle as he attempted to pass another car while authorities continued to pursue him. The vehicle struck a tree, broke through a fence, overturned and caught fire in a field, authorities said. Phabian Byanum, Davarius Bynaum and Malik Thomas were pronounced dead at the scene.
"Texas State Law requires motorists to pull to the right side of the roadway and stop when approached by an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens activated. Attempting to evade law enforcement in a motor vehicle is not only a felony, it places everyone on the roadways in danger," the Texas Department of Public Safety said. "Don’t know how to take it at this moment," said Raquel Huerta, whose daughters were friends and schoolmates with the three young men. She stopped by the crash site to pay her respects and said, "God's helping. What can we do just leave it in God's hands and help and pray for the families," she said.
Cameron High School and the community held a prayer vigil for the three young men Friday evening. "This affected the families, but it also affected our community here. Each boy belonged to all of us. These are our kids, our babies," one speaker said. "When I heard the news yesterday, as a parent, my heart ached immediately," another speaker said.
In a statement, Superintendent Kevin Sprinkles said counselors would be made available for students and staff at each of the district’s schools.