SMPD Respond To Fatal Vehicle Accident Saturday

At approximately 7:42 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, the San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) responded to the scene of a single-vehicle rollover accident at 200 Northbound IH35 that resulted in the ejection of nine of the ten occupants. Witnesses stated that the white 2002 Ford Explorer left IH35 and flipped multiple times, causing the SUV to land on the East Access road.

Five adults and five children, all of San Antonio, were in the vehicle which was traveling to Austin for a family gathering. The 2002 Ford Explorer was driven by Tamera Tychelle Gordley. Only the driver is suspected to have been wearing a seatbelt.

Officers and medics provided immediate emergency care to the occupants at the scene.

Destiny Bridges (DOB: 05/06/1996) was pronounced deceased on scene by Justice of the Peace Maggie H. Moreno.

Three of the five children, ages 7, 8 and 9, were transported by medics to Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin and are currently in critical non-stable condition. Two other children, ages 8 and 10, did not require hospital care and were released to relatives.

All of the adults were transported to Seton Ascension Hospital in Kyle with multiple injuries. Sean Thompson (DOB: 08/25/1988), husband of driver Gordley, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital by Justice of the Peace Beth Smith. The other two adult occupants were Dorothy Stinson and Eric Cooper.

Next of kin of Ms. Bridges and Mr. Thompson have been notified.

This incident is still being investigated by the San Marcos Police Collision Investigation Team. At this time, speed is expected to be a factor in the crash as well as a blown tire.

After the initial investigation of the Ford Explorer, it is determined that the vehicle was only suited for 5 passengers. 

These are the fourth and fifth traffic fatalities for San Marcos in 2020.