Austin, September 15, 2025
News Summary
Austin is reeling from two tragic fatal accidents, leading to the city’s 76th road-related death this year. The first crash involved 33-year-old Caitlyn Morgan Bedwell, while authorities seek 22-year-old Casandra Barron-Manzanarez for her connection to a deadly incident that claimed the life of 66-year-old Lisa Gail Cooper. Both incidents underline the urgent need for improved traffic safety measures as local fatalities continue to rise.
Austin has been shaken by two tragic fatal crashes that occurred recently, resulting in the loss of lives and ongoing investigations by local authorities. In total, 2025 has now seen 76 road-related deaths, with the latest incidents highlighting mounting concerns over traffic safety in the area.
The first incident occurred on Thursday, when 33-year-old Caitlyn Morgan Bedwell lost her life in a single-vehicle crash in west Austin. The tragic collision took place around 2:23 p.m. at the intersection of Walsh Tarlton Lane and Pinnacle Road. Emergency responders were called to the scene where Bedwell was quickly transported to a local hospital, but unfortunately, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. This incident marks the 72nd fatal crash in Austin for 2025.
Separately, police are actively searching for 22-year-old Casandra Barron-Manzanarez, who is wanted for murder in connection with a deadly crash that occurred on June 4 in southeast Austin. This incident involved two sedans and a pickup truck shortly after 9 p.m. at the intersection of East Ben White Boulevard’s westbound service road and East Riverside Drive. In this crash, Lisa Gail Cooper, a 66-year-old woman traveling in one of the sedans, was pronounced dead following her arrival at the hospital.
Prior to the crash, Barron-Manzanarez was being pursued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for a traffic violation. During the pursuit, she fled the scene and eventually ran a red light, striking Cooper’s vehicle, resulting in a severe collision after being hit by a truck from behind. Initially, DPS did not believe the two incidents were connected. However, further investigations uncovered that Barron-Manzanarez was indeed the driver involved in Cooper’s fatal accident.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the crash, particularly the fact that it occurred while attempting to evade arrest, Barron-Manzanarez now faces a murder charge linked to Cooper’s death. An arrest warrant for her was issued on August 15, but as of now, she remains at large. This case is being documented as Austin’s 42nd homicide of 2025.
As Austin grapples with these tragic events, public safety officials are urging drivers to be more cautious on the roads. The increasing number of fatal crashes brings forth meaningful discussions about road safety measures and law enforcement practices in the area.
Background on Traffic Fatalities in Austin
In recent years, the number of traffic-related fatalities in Austin has been on the rise, stressing the importance of road safety and the need for community awareness. Authorities have been implementing various measures to combat this trend, focusing on enforcing traffic laws and raising public awareness about safe driving practices. The statistics for 2025 indicate that the goal of reducing fatalities is more relevant than ever as the city faces ongoing challenges.
FAQ
What was the cause of Caitlyn Bedwell’s fatal accident?
Caitlyn Bedwell died in a single-vehicle crash in west Austin, which is still under investigation.
Who is Casandra Barron-Manzanarez?
Casandra Barron-Manzanarez is a 22-year-old woman wanted for murder following a fatal crash in southeast Austin.
How many fatal crashes have occurred in Austin in 2025?
Austin has experienced 72 fatal crashes in 2025, leading to a total of 76 deaths.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
- KVUE
- Google Search: Caitlyn Morgan Bedwell
- KXAN
- Google Scholar: Traffic Fatalities Austin
- FOX 7 Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Accidents
- The Statesman
- Google News: Casandra Barron-Manzanarez
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
