2 kids among the dead in SH 95 wreck

ELGIN, Texs (KXAN) - Two children and one adult were killed Monday in a crash that closed State Highway 95 in both directions about five miles north of Elgin, officials said.

It happened in Travis County near the Bastrop County line just before 10 a.m.

According to officials at the scene, the wreck occurred when one vehicle likely drifted into oncoming traffic on the two-lane undivided highway. Four other people were being taken to the hospital.

"It's a very horrific crash, " said Trooper Robbie Barrera with the Department of Public Safety.

Troopers say a woman driving a Mazda SUV, with two children in the car with her, crossed over the center line and crashed head-on into a Toyota minivan. The driver was identified as Elizabeth Dowdy, 25, of Salado; and her sons Fischer Dowdy, 4; and Benjamin Dowdy, 2.

According to Elizabeth Dowdy's obituary, she was also pregnant with her third child.

Investigators say the minivan was driven by Jeanette Fields of Hutto. Her three daughters were in the car with her.

“We have two vehicles; one was going northbound and was going south bound. One of the vehicles went into the opposite lane of traffic causing the other to take evasive action and they hit head on," Trooper Barrera said.

The SUV caught fire, and first responders say the woman and two kids inside were killed.

They say Fields and her three daughters in the van were all taken to the hospital.

Crews shut down SH 95 in both directions as they cleared the scene, turning drivers around at County Line Road. It was reopened by 5 p.m.

Some who travel this stretch of road often say from time to time, they see how bad accidents could happen.

"There’s a lot of them that can’t stand to be behind--they've got to pass you--things like that," said Ronny Arbuckle, who has lived in Elgin for more than 70 years, "As far as being a dangerous road – if you’re careful, it’s not."

Toopers are still investigating just what caused one of the drivers to cross the center line causing this crash.

Investigators say Fields was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge, and her three daughters went to Dell Children's.  At last check, all were in critical condition.

Services for the Dowdy family will be held at Salado United Methodist Church in Salado, Texas. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday and services will commence at 11 a.m. A short graveside ceremony will take place immediately following at the Salado Cemetery.