An unexplained accident on Highway 46 Tuesday morning in Kendall County left an 86-year-old Bandera resident, Thomas Franklin Stein, dead at the scene.
According to information from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Stein was traveling westbound on Highway 46 when he inexplicably veered off the right side of the highway and struck a tree. Information from a witness at the scene and the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office call sheets indicate Stein’s gray Nissan Frontier also went through a fence in the 100 block of Highway 46 before striking the tree.
A statement from DPS indicates Stein was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Michele Van Stavern was called to the scene to make the death pronouncement. Holt & Holt Funeral Home also was called.
A witness who called 911 claimed they did not see the accident happen but estimated it must have occurred in front of them as they looked to their right and saw the vehicle smoking, reports stated. The witness speculated the vehicle must have driven straight off the road rather than taking a curve on the highway because the vehicle went straight through the fence before striking the tree and never appeared to slow down.
“That’s when everyone was jumping the fence and everything to try and go help the guy,” the witness stated, explaining they left shortly after calling 911 because first responders arrived. “I left right after that because I wanted to stay out of the way of paramedics.”
While it remains unclear what caused Stein to drive off the side of the highway, DPS officials do urge all drivers to buckle up and heed warnings from traffic signs.
“The Department of Public Safety reminds all drivers to obey traffic control devices,” a statement from DPS read. “Don’t exceed the speed limit and always wear your safety belt.”
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