Driver Crashes Running Red Light At 80MPH, Kills One, Injured Two
A two-vehicle crash involving a driver that ran a red light going at 80 miles per hour has left a Stephen F. Austin University student dead and her brother in serious condition.
East Texas Matters reported on its website that 21-year-old Ashlyn Rhodes and her brother, 18-year-old Kannin Williams were out on Saturday morning to purchase new iPhones when a driver in a Hyundai ran a red light at a high rate of speed and crashed into Rhodes’ Volkswagen Jetta.
Authorities say that Rhodes was traveling northbound on Brierwest Boulevard when her vehicle was hit by an eastbound Hyundai being driven by Adokeo D. Akue, 29. Investigators estimate that Akue was traveling at an estimated speed of 80 miles per hour when he crashed into Rhodes’ vehicle.
Emergency crews arrived at the accident site and declared Rhodes dead at the scene. Williams was rushed to an area hospital with a fractured skull and other injuries. At the time of the report, Williams was still suffering from swelling of the brain and had not regained consciousness.
Officials say that the fatal crash happened less than a mile away from their home.
Akue was arrested at the scene by Houston Police officers on the charge of manslaughter and aggravated assault. Akue was also injured in the crash and suffered from a broken leg.
Ashlyn Rhodes was a student of veterinary science at SFA University and planned to become a veterinarian. According to the family, she had taken a semester off to work at two jobs in order to help pay for school.
Friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help the family with funeral and medical expenses.