By Moses Leos III
A 13-year-old girl was killed when she was struck by a Union Pacific train after sneaking out of her home with a friend in the early morning hours Saturday in Buda.
Authorities identified the victim as Tanley Yacos, 13, of Buda. Yacos was an 8th grade student at Dahlstrom Middle School, according to Buda Public Information Officer David Marino.
In a letter to parents, Dahlstrom Middle School principal Rob Trevino said counselors from Dahlstrom and the Hays CISD district counseling team were on campus Monday to work with students and staff.
“Tanley was a remarkable young lady and an asset to our district,” Trevino said in a letter. “We are all mourning her passing.”
According to a city of Buda press release, police responded to a call from the Union Pacific engineer at approximately 1:50 a.m. Saturday at the railroad tracks between the south Loop 4 and Houston Street railroad crossings.
A preliminary investigation found the train was traveling northbound when the engineer noticed two young females walking southbound on the railroad tracks.
Yacos was hit by the train and was pronounced dead at the scene by Hays County Justice of the Peace No. 5 Judge Scott Cary, who also has ordered an autopsy to be performed. Cary also ordered toxicology tests to be performed, which will not be completed for three to four weeks.
The other girl, who is 13 years old and from Buda, was uninjured.
According to Marino, the engineer sounded the train’s horn at the time of the accident.
Per a Buda press release, the second 13-year-old girl was spending the night at Yacos’ home when the two snuck out sometime prior to the incident.
Marino said authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and are not ruling “anything out on why (the accident) happened or how it happened.”
The letter from Trevino to Dahlstrom parents:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I’m saddened to report to you the death of one of our students, 8th grader Tanley Yacos. She was killed in a tragic accident involving a train early this morning. As soon as we hear more from the family regarding memorial services, we will provide you that information. The counselors at Dahlstrom Middle School and the Hays CISD district counseling team will be on campus Monday to work with the students and staff. Tanley was a remarkable young lady and an asset to our district. We all are mourning her passing.
Because the Mustangs are family, we share happy and sad times. If you feel your student needs counseling services or just needs to talk with someone further, please contact me, the counselors or a member of my staff.
Please keep the Yacos family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Rod Trevino
Principal of Dahlstrom Middle School
