Hours before a family was struck by a suspected drunk driver who crossed the grassy median of U.S. 183 -- killing three relatives -- the barrier in that area was damaged, a representative with the Texas Department of Transportation told KVUE.
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On Nov. 11 at around 3:30 p.m., Guy Brasted, 41, was traveling northbound in the 9400 block of Research Boulevard before crossing the median and striking a sedan carrying four people. Two of the people in the sedan, identified in the affidavit as a 38-year-old Nancy Latulippe and her 14-year-old son Jackson, died at the scene. Nancy's husband, Scott, who was in the right front seat, was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, and their daughter Kiera was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Scott, 41, died Friday after he was taken off life support, police said.
According to TxDOT, they had a report of a crash into the barrier that same day at 8 a.m.
"Our crews went out and set up a 'Damage Guard Rail Ahead' sign and placed reflective cones in front of the damaged barrier," said Diann Hodges with TxDOT. "This is standard procedure, when we are alerted to a crash into a barrier."
The family is from the San Diego area and was vacationing in Austin when the accident happened.
Brasted is currently in the Travis County Jail with a bond set at $200,000. His court date is set for Dec. 8 at 9 a.m., according to court documents.
