DPS: Car driving erratically just before fatal US 281 crash on July 3
UPDATE: This story was updated July 10 to include the names of the victims.
STAFF WRITER CONNIE SWINNEY
ROUND MOUNTAIN — Two people in a car reportedly driving erratically died July 3 after a Texas Department of Public Safety pursuit and collision with two other vehicles on U.S. 281 in Blanco County, according to a DPS report.
The collision happened at around 11:30 a.m. about 2 miles north of Round Mountain.
“DPS troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a gray Honda passenger car, traveling northbound on U.S. 281 in (northern) Blanco County,” according to a DPS statement. “According to the preliminary investigation, the Honda entered the trooper’s lane of traffic as the DPS patrol unit was traveling in the opposite direction on the same roadway.”
As the vehicle approached the Burnet County line, two other vehicles became involved in the incident.
“(T)he driver of the car refused to stop, continuing to travel northbound. At approximately 11:32 a.m., the evading vehicle struck two other vehicles that were traveling in the opposite direction,” the statement read. “As a result of the crash, both the driver and the passenger of the evading vehicle were pronounced deceased at the scene.”
The driver of the 2005 Honda Accord was identified as Richard Reynolds Purpura, 69, of Blanco, according to the DPS. The passenger in the vehicle was identified as Anne Reynolds Purpura, 99, of Blanco.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene by Pct. 1 Blanco County Justice of the Peace Randy Brodbeck.
An occupant in one of the other vehicles — a 2012 Ford Expedition — was treated and released at the scene. An occupant in another vehicle — a 2014 Volkswagon Tiguan — was transported to Seton Medical Center in Austin in stable condition.
