Mineral Wells High School senior killed in crash that injured 5 other people
A Mineral Wells High School student was killed and two other students in the same vehicle were injured Friday night in a two-car crash in Hood County, according to school district officials and the Texas Highway Patrol.
A woman, a man and a 2-year-old girl from Lubbock who were in the other car also were hospitalized, investigators said.
“We are heartbroken to share that three of our Mineral Wells High School students were involved in a tragic car accident,” Mineral Wells ISD said in a statement on social media.. “With deep sorrow, we confirm that Jose Hernandez, a senior at MWHS, lost his life in the accident.”
A Texas Department of Public Safety report identified the two students who were hospitalized as 18-year-olds George Velazquez and Korbin Williams.
“Jose Hernandez was loved by many,” according to a GoFundMe page to help his family with funeral expenses. “He was always surrounded by family and friends. He was kind, funny, and compassionate; he was always there for whoever needed him.”
“He was 4 days away from graduation,” a family member wrote on the fundraising site. “He had so many plans for when he was done with school. He was so excited and ready to walk that stage. One of his plans was to be a welder when he finished high school. He was a kid that wanted to chase his dreams and never give up. He loved the Cowboys; he was a football fanatic. Remember him as the wonderful person he was.”
Counselors will be available on the high school campus on Tuesday.
“We ask that you join us in keeping all of the students and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable grief,” the school district said in its post.
According to the investigating state trooper’s report, the three students were in a Ford Explorer headed northwest on FM 4 when the driver lost control in a curve in the road and crossed into oncoming traffic, where the Explorer collided with a Kia Telluride SUV.
Hernandez, 19, was pronounced dead, and the other two students were taken to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth.
Also injured in the crash were 34-year-old Marlen Banuelos, 34-year-old Samuel Fry and 2-year-old Amayah Fry.
This story was originally published May 25, 2025 at 11:17 PM.
