William Ewer Killed in Manor Car Accident
Unlicensed driver arrested after two-vehicle collision on U.S. 290 leaves passenger dead
William Ewer of Elgin was killed and a family member was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash at U.S. 290 and Old Kimbro Road early Friday, according to the Manor Police Department.
Officers arrested the driver of the other vehicle, Carlos David Martinez Sanchez, at the scene on a charge of driving without a license. He and a passenger were uninjured and remained at the intersection following the collision.
Responders found one vehicle stopped in the middle of the highway and the second off the road in a fence line. Firefighters with Travis County ESD-12 extricated the driver of the second vehicle, Brenda Ewer, before STAR Flight airlifted her to a local hospital in stable condition.
Ewer, who was riding in the front passenger seat of the second vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Texas Department of Transportation closed all westbound lanes of U.S. 290 for several hours before reopening the highway shortly after 10 a.m.
The crash remains under investigation.
The sudden loss of a loved one in a collision involving an unlicensed driver leaves families facing both criminal proceedings and complex civil liability questions.
While police handle the criminal charges against Martinez Sanchez, independent investigators often examine factors like excessive speed to determine full liability.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Getting behind the wheel without a valid license often means skipping training and testing that helps drivers handle sudden danger, and that gap can turn a routine drive into a fatal crash."
"An attorney handling a case like that pulls license and driving history records early, since an unlicensed driver can complicate insurance coverage and shift how a claim against a policy gets resolved," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How does speed affect crashes on U.S. 290?
According to new NHTSA data, speeding contributed to 11,288 traffic deaths in 2024, representing 29 percent of all fatalities.
What are the legal options for Ewer's family?
In cases where an unlicensed driver is involved in a fatal wreck, the victim's family may pursue a civil claim parallel to any criminal prosecution. This dual-track system ensures that grieving families can seek accountability and compensation for their loss, regardless of the outcome in criminal court.
Texas wrongful death statute
Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.001, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Texas applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral expenses, and mental anguish.
"Navigating a wrongful death claim can feel overwhelming for families already exhausted by grief and daily responsibilities. Legal counsel explains each step in plain language, offering steady guidance so surviving relatives can focus on healing while the process moves forward," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.