Friday, April 25, 2025
On Sunday, March 9, at approximately 3:18 a.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash south of Hamilton, which resulted in two fatalities.
A 2021 Mazda CX-5, operated by 21-year-old Tavajenne Capers, of Killeen, was traveling southbound on US-281, according to a Texas DPS crash report.
According to the lead investigating Trooper, for reasons unknown, the vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, and caught fire. Upon colliding with the tree, two passengers were ejected out of the vehicle.
Passenger Jessica Ludwig, 20-years old from Killeen, and passenger Jaliyah Stevenson, 20-years-old from Killeen, were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene.
The rear left passenger, identified as a 20-year-old male, was transported to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in critical condition.
The driver, Capers, self-extricated and sustained minor injuries.
Capers was charged with two counts of Intoxication Manslaughter and was later released to the Hamilton County Jail staff.
The crash investigation is still active and open. Next of kin have been notified.
