3 family members die in suspected drunk driving crash in Center Point

A man from San Antonio is currently in Kerr County Jail after allegedly driving drunk into a group of motorcyclists in Center Point on Saturday.

Jeremy Wasson is facing three counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated following the incident. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office chose not to comment on the case, directing inquiries to the Department of Public Safety, which oversees investigations into fatal traffic collisions on state highways.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Texas 27 and Farm-to-Market Road 1340.

The Hill Country Community Journal reported that a Toyota SUV crossed into the westbound lanes and struck all three motorcycles head-on into the motorcyclists. The Department of Public Safety said the drivers of the motorcycles, Courtney Cortez, 25, Cody Cortez, 35, and Daniel Cortez, Jr., 57, were pronounced dead on the scene. Joan Cortez, the wife of Daniel Cortez, who was a passenger on one of the motorcycles, was airlifted to a medical facility in San Antonio.

Joan Cortez is a longtime MHDD employee and the crisis services director. Cody was her son, while Courtney was a niece. Before the crash, which happened at about 5 p.m., Joan Cortez had shared photos of the family’s motorcycle ride, which included a stop at Top Golf in San Antonio.