Labor Day weekend multi-car crash claims mother, child on US 281

By Christi Bertelson

Highland Lakes Newspapers

A woman and her oldest son—Roselee Rodriguez and West Adair Jr.—were pronounced dead on scene in north Burnet County after a four-car collision ended in tragedy Saturday morning, Sept. 3, around 9:25 a.m.

Rodriguez, 26, was traveling with her two sons Adair Jr., 6, and Isreal Rodriguez, 3, when their 2003 Ford Expedition was struck by a 2014 Dodge pickup, driven by Lacy Pearson, 51.

Pearson and his passengers—Rhonda Pearson, 53, Callie Pearson, 22, Angel Dodd, 14, and Natalie Robertson, 2—all of Burnet, were traveling north on US 281 when a 1998 Lexus reportedly forced them into oncoming traffic, colliding with Rodriguez head on.

The Lexus, driven by James Pratt, 22, of Manor and a passenger, Candice Buckley, 28, of Belton also was northbound on US 281, about five miles outside of Burnet, when the Lexus left the right side of the road, according to Trooper Robbie Barrera, a Department of Public Safety communications officer. Pratt overcorrected to the left, striking Pearson’s truck, which crossed the double yellow line into oncoming traffic and smashed into the Rodriguez Expedition.

The collision between Pearson and Rodriguez caused the mother and Adair Jr., to be ejected from the Expedition, said Barrera.

Pratt and Buckley then traveled off the road into the grass ditch, where their Lexus collided with a 2009 Ford F150, driven by Todd Weaver, 46, of Georgetown, as he left a private road.

Fire and EMS personnel arrived on scene, diverting traffic from US 281 to Lake Victor, while AirEvac arrived on scene to airlift Isreal to Dell Children’s hospital by helicopter.

Pratt and Buckley were transported to Seton Medical Center in Round Rock, where both were said to be in stable condition with no incapacitating injuries.

Pearson, and passenger Callie were transported to Seton Highland Lakes and treated. Rhonda was said to have sustained no injuries and passengers Dodd and Robertson were in unknown condition, according to Barrera.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Lisa Whitehead was called out at 9:25 a.m. She pronounced Rodriguez and son Adair Jr. dead on scene from injuries sustained from the crash.

“It’s as devastating as you would think it is,” said Whitehead.

Rodriguez and Adair Jr. were transported to Edgar & Jenkins in Burnet and then to Funeraria Del Angel Trevino Funeral Home in San Antonio where they will be laid to rest.

Rodriguez is survived by her son Isreal; sister, Gracie; mother, Rosie and father, Felix, along with many other family and friends.

Adair Jr. is survived by the same as well as father West Adair of San Antonio and other family and friends.

Services for Rodriguez and Adair Jr. will be held together starting with a visitation at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, at the 2525 Palto Alto Road location of the San Antonio funeral home, followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m.

Monday Sept. 12 a mass for Rodriguez and Adair Jr. will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Leo Catholic Church located at 4415 South Flores Street, San Antonio. Cemetery location is still pending.

Condolences to the family may be entered online at http://bit.ly/2bYjm60.