By Andy Ross
Special Correspondent

Three children are dead and four persons injured following a two-car collision in northern Bastrop County this past weekend.

Those killed in the crash occurring Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Texas 21 and U.S. 290 were identified as nine-year-old Paul Gonzalez, eight-year-old Noel Gonzalez and a five year old girl, Leah Gonzalez, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson.

All three victims were children of 26-year-old Pricilla Gonzalez who was a passenger in a 2000 Dodge Caravan being driven by 30-year-old Tiffany Bowman.

Both women were injured and taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge where they were later released Sunday night.

One-year-old Apolinar Saldana and six year old Angie Gonazlez were also injured in the crash and transported to Dell Children’s Medical Center. As of Tuesday afternoon, Saldana was still listed in good condition while Angie Gonzalez was listed in critical condition, according to Matilda Sanchez, spokesperson for the Seton Family of Hospitals. Both adult women and the five children were from Houston.

The accident occurred close to 4:30 p.m. Sunday when the van being driven by Bowman failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic as it was in the process of turning off U.S. 290 onto Texas 21, said the DPS.

The minivan was struck by a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 whose driver was not injured.

The only occupant of the van listed as wearing a seatbelt was Pricilla Gonzalez, according to the DPS.