By Vanesa Brashier
A 14-year-old Dayton girl, Leah Marie Marble, was killed around 6:25 a.m. Sunday, July 15, in a two-vehicle accident on FM 1960 near the intersection of CR 609.
Authorities say that Marble and her sister, Stacey Louise Marble, 23, were traveling eastbound on FM 1960 in a Honda Accord on their way to the older sister’s job at Brighter Days Assisted Living Center.
“The younger sister was going to help her sister that day,” said Lt. Shane Burleigh with Dayton Police Department, the agency investigating the accident.
Near the intersection with CR 609, they encountered a Honda CRV, driven by 21-year-old Gabriel Rudolph Farias, of Humble. Farias’ vehicle reportedly drifted into the eastbound lane, causing Stacey Marble to make a hard left turn, trying to steer out of his path.
“She tried to correct and avoid hitting him, but he smashed into the passenger side of her vehicle, killing the 14-year-old girl instantly,” he said.
Both drivers were airlifted by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries, Burleigh said.
The 14-year-old girl was pronounced deceased at the scene by Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Stephen Hebert. She was taken to Jefferson County Medical Examiners Office.
Burleigh said that alcohol or drugs are not suspected in the accident at the time. It is believed Garfias fell asleep while driving. However, blood collected at the hospital will be subpoenaed and tested because of the nature of the accident.