Five Friends Lost in Texas Crash: Remembering Their Lives and the Ongoing Investigation
Five close friends from the Dallas area lost their lives in a tragic car accident on July 25, 2025, while traveling to celebrate a birthday. The young women — Thalia Salinas, Brianna Valadez, Ruby Cruz, Desiree Cervantez, and Jacqueline Velasco — were high school friends with deep ties to their families and community.
What was meant to be a joyful road trip turned into a heartbreaking event that has left many mourning their loss. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the accident occurred in Burnet County on U.S. Highway 281. A truck pulling a livestock trailer crossed into oncoming traffic, first striking another vehicle before crashing into the SUV carrying the five women. Their vehicle overturned and caught fire.
All other individuals involved suffered non-life-threatening injuries. A roadside memorial has since been created at the crash site to…
