Two From Tarrant County Among Five Killed In Amarillo Crash – DWI Involved?

Two Tarrant County families are in mourning after last night’s fatal crash that claimed the lives of two fine young men who were performing in the play “Texas.”

Julian Arredondo IV, 24, from Haltom City and Eric Harrison, 21, from Keller were tragically killed in a crash near Amarillo.

Three others in the famous Palo Duro production, Clinton Diaz, 20, of Amarillo, Andrew Duncan 20, of Wichita Falls; and Amanda Starz, 20, from Maryland lost their lives. They and Eric Harrison were theatre students at nearby West Texas A&M University.

Eric Harrison was a strong Christian and wanted to be the “Tim Tebow of theater,” a man who openly wears his faith. He stayed involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes even after he quit playing baseball at Fossil Ridge High School.

Julian Arredondo had just graduated from TCU in 2011, where he starred in many theatrical shows and was widely loved.Theatre and music were his life.

The crash occurred about 11:30 p.m. as Diaz may have run the stop sign as he turned from a side road onto U.S. 287 north of Dumas. Unfortunately Diaz drove into the path of a tractor-trailer, according to the Department of Public Safety.

A passenger in the car, Timothy Johnson, 30, and the 18 wheeler driver, Theron McSay, 70, were seriously injured.

Alcohol may have been a factor, according to the DPS. The cast members were returning from a cast party. The toxicology report has not yet been released.

You don’t have to be a personal injury lawyer or the father of a 23 year old to be devastated by the almost daily barrage of stories like this. I blog about negligent driving, rant when alcohol is involved, and of course pursue negligent drivers in court. I want to raise awareness of this chronic problem. I’m sponsoring upcoming Mothers Against Drunk Driving walks in Fort Worth and Dallas, as MADD is one of my favorite causes.

My heart and prayers go out to the families of the young men and wish speedy recoveries for the victims.

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