KVUE News: Church: 3 Killeen pastors killed in SH 130 crash

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas -- Police say three people have died in a Pflugerville crash.

It happened in the 19400 block of State Highway 130 around 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

According to police a van traveling northbound blew a tire, causing the driver to lose control and crash. Witnesses attempted to help the victims get out, but they were unsuccessful.

A female passenger who was pinned in the vehicle died on the scene. A man police believe to be about 65 years old was thrown from the vehicle and also died.

The driver of the van, a man police believe to be in his 70s, was taken to a Round Rock hospital by EMS with critical injuries. He later passed away.

According to the website of Grace Christian Center in Killeen, the three victims were pastors. The wife of the driver said her husband was picking up the other two people, a wife and husband, from the airport and taking them home.

The website's front page had this statement up Friday morning:

Dear Family of Grace,

It is with the deepest sorrow that we have to announce the passing of Pastors Terry, Jan and Pastor Steve. They died in a traffic accident on the way back from the airport. Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. we will have the church open for a time of prayer, all other groups and events are cancelled. Dr. Earl Johnson is flying in to do Sunday services. We ask that you keep both families in prayer during this difficult time. We will update you all as more information on memorial services is available.

In Christ

The Pastoral Staff

Police have not confirmed the identities of the victims.

Investigators shut down all lanes of SH 130 from Gattis School Road to Pecan due to a large debris field and the ongoing accident investigation. Police say all lanes have since reopened.