In July, a tragic accident in Central Texas resulted in the deaths of five women, including 23-year-old Desiree Cervantes, described by her mother Mariana Avila as her best friend and an integral part of her life. Avila emotionally recounted their lifelong bond during a press conference, stating, “She meant everything to me.”
Cervantes and her friends—Thalia Salinas, Ruby Cruz, Brianna Valadez, and Jacqueline Velazco—were traveling together when their vehicle collided with a truck towing a livestock trailer in Burnet County on July 25. The group of long-time friends had a history of shared adventures, including numerous trips to Colorado, according to their families.
“Since middle school, they were inseparable. They did everything together,” Avila remarked. Unfortunately, this close-knit group was irrevocably changed by the fatal incident.
Kody Lane Talley, the driver of the pickup truck involved in the accident, was arrested earlier this month and booked into the Burnet County jail. Relatives of the three victims from Dallas have since filed a civil lawsuit against Talley. The families of Cervantes and Valadez have also filed separate lawsuits, collaborating with shared legal representation aimed at seeking a collective minimum of $1 million in damages.
“There’s no daylight between any of us,” declared attorney Matthew Graham, highlighting the unity among the families as they pursue justice. This marked the first public address by the families since the horrific crash, which claimed the lives of their loved ones.
Family members of five women from Dallas who were killed on July 25, 2025, speak and console each other during a press conference at Angel Reyes & Associates in Dallas, Texas, on Aug 20, 2025.
Jason Janik / Special Contributor
“Brianna was our baby girl,” mentioned her father, Jose Valadez, expressing the unbearable void her absence created in their family. Valadez continued, emphasizing that their lives changed drastically with her loss.
Ana Cruz, sister of Ruby Cruz, described her sibling as a second mother, reflecting on Ruby’s love for karaoke and sharing meals. “Ruby was full of fun and even fuller of love,” she expressed, showcasing the deep connections that defined their relationship.
Thalia Salinas’ brother, Sal, reminisced about family gatherings that included song, laughter, and camaraderie. “They were all different people, different characters, but they were sisters,” he said, underscoring the familial bond they shared.
Thalia Salinas, Ruby Cruz, Brianna Valadez, Desiree Cervantes and Jacqueline Velazco.
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On the fateful day of the crash, the women were en route to a birthday celebration when they were struck by Talley’s vehicle. He has since faced five charges of manslaughter related to the incident and is alleged to have been intoxicated at the time of the crash.
In their civil suit, the families aim to investigate all individuals and entities potentially responsible for the crash, including Talley’s father, Charles Talley, and his business, Texas Camp Horses. “All we want is for everything and everyone who had any type of responsibility in the tragic loss of our girls to be held accountable,” Avila stated passionately.
Texas State Troopers responded to the crash scene on U.S. Highway 281, where a 2018 Ram 4500 truck towing a livestock trailer struck a Chevrolet Malibu head-on before colliding with a Mercedes SUV, which subsequently overturned and caught fire, resulting in the tragic loss of the five women inside.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, data retrieved from the driver’s vehicle indicated that the accelerator pedal was fully depressed just prior to the impact. Additionally, investigations revealed that Talley has a history of previous driving under the influence charges, including three arrests and two convictions in Williamson County.
