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BASTROP — Three people who were killed Saturday, May 10, in a reported two-vehicle collision on Texas 71 east of Bastrop have been identified, according to officials.
Ja Michael Houston, 20; Chloe Rios, 18; and Zaldivar Espinosa, 33, were killed when Espinosa’s Tesla crashed into the Nissan Sentra that Houston and Rios occupied. Espinosa was an Austin resident, while Houston and Rios were from Smithville.
The crash occurred about 2:30 a.m. May 10 between Tahitian Drive and McAllister Road, just outside the Bastrop city limits. According to reports from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Espinosa’s 2022 Tesla reportedly traveled west on eastbound Texas 71 when Houston’s and Rios’ 2010 Nissan Sentra attempted to swerve out of the way.
Houston and Rios were pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Espinosa was extricated from a vehicle and transported by Acadian EMS to St. David’s Hospital in Bastrop after life-saving efforts were performed on-site, but he later died from his injuries.
Emergency crews from Bastrop County ESD No. 2, the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, Acadian EMS and the Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the scene.
DPS is still investigating the incident. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
