Abilene, Texas (February 11, 2026) — A 36-year-old woman and an 11-year-old girl were killed last week in a collision involving a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler at a rural Taylor County intersection, according to authorities.
The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the deceased driver as Kaley Demasters, 36, who died at the scene. An 11-year-old female passenger in her vehicle was airlifted from the crash site but later died en route to the hospital.
The driver of the 18-wheeler, identified as 43-year-old Santiago Reina Castaneda of Pasadena, survived with minor injuries.
The crash occurred at the intersection of FM 603 and State Highway 36.
Incident Details: According to DPS, the collision involved a 2019 Nissan Altima and an 18-wheeler. Demasters was driving the Altima at the time of the crash. Authorities have not publicly released detailed information regarding the precise sequence of events leading to the collision.
Emergency responders pronounced Demasters deceased at the scene. The 11-year-old passenger was transported by helicopter due to the severity of her injuries, but did not survive.
Castaneda sustained minor injuries and survived the crash.
In the aftermath of the collision, KTXS spoke with the Texas Department of Transportation about the intersection’s safety history. TxDOT reported that, including last week’s crash, there have been seven crashes at that location in the past five years, with this being the only fatal collision during that period.
Investigation: The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash. In intersection collisions involving passenger vehicles and commercial trucks, investigators typically analyze right-of-way compliance, stopping behavior, sight distance, and vehicle speed.
Crash reconstruction specialists may examine skid marks, impact points, debris fields, and electronic data from the involved vehicles. In commercial vehicle cases, investigators often review driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and braking systems to determine whether the truck was operating within regulatory standards.
Rural highway intersections can pose unique visibility challenges, particularly when high-speed traffic on a state highway meets lower-speed farm-to-market roads controlled by stop signs.
Authorities have not yet announced whether any citations or charges will be filed.
Legal Considerations: Fatal crashes involving commercial vehicles frequently raise complex liability questions. In Texas, drivers approaching a stop-controlled intersection must yield to oncoming traffic on the through highway. However, civil liability can also involve broader considerations, including visibility conditions, roadway design, and whether all parties exercised reasonable care.
The intersection’s prior crash history may also be scrutinized in evaluating roadway safety, though the presence of traffic control devices is a significant factor in any such analysis.
Depending on the findings of the investigation, the families of Demasters and the 11-year-old passenger may have the right to pursue wrongful death claims. These claims can address funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the financial and emotional impact of the loss.
I offer my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Kaley Demasters and the young girl whose life was lost.
Source: KTXS