Laura Onwudinanti, 21, and John “Jack” Stewart, 19, killed, and Jacob Hale and Megan Ritzi, 18, injured in single vehicle crash near Marlin, Texas on July 29.

A Baylor University student and a recent graduate were killed and two students were seriously injured Tuesday morning in a one-vehicle crash east of Marlin in Central Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported. The four were in a pickup that went out of control and slammed into a tree on Texas 7 about three miles east of Marlin near the Falls and Limestone county line, said DPS Trooper D.L. Wilson. Two passengers — Laura Onwudinanti, 21, of Grand Prairie and John “Jack” Stewart, 19, of Dallas — were pronounced dead at the scene, Wilson said. Jacob Hale of Fort Worth, the pickup driver, was taken to Scott & White Healthcare in Temple, where he was listed in fair condition. A third passenger, Megan Ritzi, 18, of Fort Worth, was in very critical condition at the hospital, he said. Scott & White is the only Level 1 trauma center in Central Texas. 

What every family needs to know about Texas wrongful death claims When someone is killed in a car, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, or other kind of accident, family members left behind must cope with the tragedy as best they can. Many important decisions need to be made, and a wrongful death claim needs to be filed. In Texas, a claim can be filed only by specific family members, but there are strict requirements and deadlines that must be met. It is critical to talk with a wrongful death lawyer in Texas to get the information and advice needed to move forward.