Round Rock Resident Among Those Killed In Car Crash: Report

ROUND ROCK, TX — State transportation officials on Tuesday identified the two drivers who were killed in a two-vehicle collision just south of Round Rock last week.

Marie Blanton, 21, of Round Rock, and Evay Jenkins, a 41-year-old man from Austin, were killed in a crash just after midnight last week at 1540 FM 1325, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Sgt. Deon Cockrell from the transportation agency emailed Patch an advisory naming the two victims, who were identified as the drivers involved in the collision.

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office tweeted about the traffic accident last week, saying it was a head-on collision. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Texas Department of Transportation officials took the time to advise drivers to exercise caution when traveling on state roadways: "The Texas Department of Public Safety would like to remind all drivers to slow down and adjust to adverse weather and road conditions. Drivers should minimize distractions, don’t drive fatigued, don’t drink and drive, obey traffic control devices and always wear your safety belt."

According to a Beck Chapels obituary notice, Blanton was set to turn 22 on Dec. 30. Visitation is scheduled on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 5 p.m. to 8 pm., at the funeral parlor on 15709 Ranch Rd. in Austin. A funeral service is scheduled on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m., according to the notice.

The obituary notes Blanton grew up in Round Rock, and was active in the community. She attended Cedar Valley Middle School and graduated from Round Rock High School in 2015. She continued her education at the University of Texas at Austin, where she planned to graduate next year with a degree in biochemistry, according to the information on the funeral home's website.

The young woman was working as a server at Cyclone Anaya’s in the Domain at the time of her death, the notice reads. Her personal attributes are described in the notice: "She made friends everywhere she went. She loved the outdoors, travel, and creating adventures with her family and friends. Kennedy lived independently and unapologetically, though she was never alone. She was a supportive friend, as well as a loving daughter and sister to her family. She was generous, smart, kind, and full of laughter, lots of laughter. God blessed her with many gifts as she was a gift to us."

Blanton is survived by her parents, Jimmy and Leslie Blanton, her older brother Benjamin and her younger brother Jackson, according to Beck Chapels.