Traffic Fatality During Heavy Rain Closes I-35 In San Marcos Late Friday

Correction: An earlier version of this story had the age of Mr. Roman-Abarca incorrect and has since been updated.

On Friday, May 3 at 10:45 p.m., San Marcos Police, Fire and EMS responded to IH 35 at the Hwy 123 overpass for a major traffic accident that resulted in one fatality and closed the interstate for a few hours.

The accident occurred during heavy rains and involved a 2010 Honda and a 2014 Ford F150. While units were en route to the scene, witnesses reported that a female passenger in the Honda was unresponsive and CPR was being performed.

Police and EMS units arrived and administered CPR and medical care to the passenger, identified as 62-year-old Enedina Roman (05-14-1956).  Ms. Roman was taken to Seton Medical Center Hays in Kyle and underwent surgery. The extent of her injuries and her prognosis are unknown at this time.

The driver of the Honda, 68-year-old Pedro Roman-Abarca (02-24-1951) of New Braunfels was taken to Central Texas Medical Center. He did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Maggie H. Moreno. Mr. Roman-Abarca was transported to Central Texas Autopsy in Lockhart and next of kin has been notified.

The SMPD Collision Investigation Team responded and their investigation revealed that the Ford was driving southbound in the center lane of IH 35, while the Honda was driving southbound in the left lane of IH 35 and passed the Ford.

It appears that the driver of the Honda lost control of the vehicle, as it was raining heavily, and the Honda struck the center concrete divider spinning back into the lane of traffic into the path of the Ford. The Ford struck the Honda on the driver’s side and propelled the Honda back into the concrete divider.

The driver of the Ford was uninjured and witnesses to the accident were identified. Both vehicles were towed to SMPD pending further investigation. IH 35 was closed for about 2 hours at Exit 202 with traffic being diverted to Exit 204A. The investigation into this accident continues.