Police identify 4 men killed in head-on collision on Highway 146 in Dayton

DAYTON, Texas – Four people were killed in a head-on collision Monday morning along Highway 146 in Liberty County, officials said.

The deadly crash was reported around 6:30 a.m. just south of Dayton.

Dayton police said a man identified as Blaine Springer, 25, was driving southbound in a Chevrolet Silverado and veered out of his lane and hit a Ford F-250 head-on. Police said both drivers and two passengers were killed.

Police identified the men in the Ford as Ricardo Martinez, 41, Alfredo Cueller Jr, 40 and 27-year old David Cortes.

Police said another vehicle was also struck during the collision but that driver only suffered minor injuries and is expected to be okay.

Family members described Alfredo “Gordy” Cuellar a good man with a big heart.

Alfredo Cuellar (L) was killed along with three other in a crash in Dayton on Feb. 17, 2020. (Courtesy of family members)

According to his cousin, Cuellar was a father to one son and two stepdaughters, who he has helped raise since they were babies. He was married and always put family first, his cousin said.

Martinez’s family members told KPRC 2 that Martinez and Cortes were distant relatives and on their way to work when they were killed.

Cousin Maricela Amezquita described Martinez as a family man. Martinez leaves behind a wife and 19-year old daughter.

“He will always be remembered and he will always live in our hearts forever,” Amezquita said.

Dayton Police said the crash remains under investigation but said the Silverado had been found to be stolen out of the city of Pasadena.


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Award-winning journalist, mother, YouTuber, social media guru, millennial, mentor, storyteller, University of Houston alumna and Houston-native.

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.