Three teenage girls killed in charter bus crash on Highway 71

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal accident that left three people dead. All three victims were teenage girls from Round Rock, Texas. The victims are 18-year-old June Marie Smith, 17-year-old Isabella Torres, and 17-year-old Taylor Nicole Mendez. 

According to DPS, June Marie Smith was driving the vehicle that crashed into the charter bus and failed to yield when turning onto Highway 71. Witnesses also told DPS troopers that the vehicle didn't have any lights on at the time of the accident.

According to ATCEMS, a car accident involving a charter bus occurred in the 26800 block of eastbound State Highway 71 in the early morning of Sunday April 2, 2017. When first responders arrived, they discovered three female victims dead on scene. All three victims were riding in the car. 

The charter bus was transporting Huston-Tillotson University baseball players and coaching staff back to Austin from Hobbs, New Mexico. No one on the charter bus was injured in the accident. 

The driver of the charter bus was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. 

A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help with funeral expenses. To donate, click here. 

This is an ongoing investigation and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.