Weekend Auto Fatality Marks 15th For San Marcos In 2020

On Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, at approximately 3:30 AM, units from the San Marcos Police Department, the San Marcos Fire Department, and Hays County EMS were dispatched to a major traffic collision on IH35 northbound near the 204-mile marker.

The collision resulted in the year’s fifteenth traffic fatality for San Marcos. 

Upon arrival, units found a white 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer with significant damage after it struck a large highway sign pillar. 

The lone occupant of the vehicle was observed inside with multiple life-threatening injures. 

The driver was later identified as Ashley Lynn Minar, 30, of New Braunfels, Texas. 

From the initial investigation, it appears the Chevrolet was the only vehicle involved and that it struck the inside retaining wall before losing control and crossing over three interstate traffic lanes. 

The vehicle then went through a guardrail and struck the pillar on the driver’s side. 

Justice of the Peace Maggie H. Moreno responded, pronounced the driver deceased, and ordered an autopsy.  High speeds and potential driver impairment are suspected as being causes of this collision. 

The entrance ramp north of Exit 204, TX-82/TX-123 was shut down for several hours while the main lanes of IH35 were shut down briefly to allow officers to mark the scene and take photographs. 

The SMPD Collision Investigation Team will continue to investigate.