ANAHUAC, Texas — An Anahuac man who survived a crash that killed two teens has been charged with two counts of manslaughter.
Gage Lloyd Leath, 18, was booked into the Chambers County Jail yesterday on two counts of manslaughter.
Leath was booked on a commitment and does not have to pay bond at this time, according to the Chambers County Sheriff's Office.
He is scheduled to be released tomorrow.
The Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the fiery wreck that left two teens dead near Winnie.
Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne told 12News that three teens were involved in the wreck, which occurred from the beach on SH 124 through High Island, along FM 1985 just west of Texas Highway 124, about eight miles south of Winnie on Saturday, July 13, 2023.
The sheriff's office received multiple calls about an "attempt to locate a dangerous vehicle," according to a news release from the Chambers County Sheriff's Office.
Hawthorne said the vehicle was going at least 100 mph, about 20 mph over the posted speed limit on that road.
The calls came in around 8:30 p.m. on that Saturday night, and the accident happened shortly afterward.
Hawthorne said that while trying to dispatch a deputy to pull the vehicle over, the car hit a large farm tractor pulling a piece of farm equipment and then burst into flames near the East Bay Bayou.
One occupant of the vehicle was able to get out of the crashed vehicle and was airlifted by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, according to the release.
The two other occupants in the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the tractor was transported from the scene by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.
Two of the teens involved were 17, and the other was 18, but it is unknown which of the deceased were which age.
The investigation was conducted by DPS State Trooper David Park, according to the release.
“The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the DPS, Winnie-Stowell EMS and Fire Dept., along with the citizens who rendered aid and assisted at this tragic crash," Hawthorne said.
A vigil to honor the lives lost took place on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at Kyle White Stadium in Anahuac at 8 p.m.
"Our hearts ache for the untimely loss of these young lives. We send our heartfelt prayers, love, and deepest condolences to the families, friends, teachers, teammates, and everyone affected by this heart-wrenching tragedy," said the Anahuac Chamber of Commerce in a Facebook post.
This is a developing story. We will update with more information if and when we receive further confirmed details.
