As the clock struck midnight a Conroe police officer ran up on a crash at the intersection of Gladstell and Frazier in the city limits of Conroe. Two vehicles were on the scene with heavy damage and MCHD and Conroe Fire Department was dispatched. The Windstar van which was southbound on Frazier driven by a 29-year-old Magnolia resident Mariah Manke and her 21-year-old passenger Thomas Week. As she entered the intersection a Chevrolet Lumina, which was westbound on Gladstell and had just crossed the railroad tracks, ran the red light striking the van in the drivers door. This then pushed the van into a Chevrolet Camaro which was also southbound in an adjoining lane. The van continued until it struck a light pole. The female driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger was transported to the hospital in stable condition.
The driver of the four door passenger vehicle who is still not positively identified was transported to the hospital in stable condition. He currently is undergoing surgery for an injury to his hip caused by the accident. A mandatory blood draw was done at the hospital and he was determined to be intoxicated. Charges of Intoxicated Manslaughter are forth coming as is an ICE hold being put on him. His 18-year-old female passenger, Rebecca Castilow, was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries. She is currently being booked into the Montgomery County Jail on Possession of Controlled Substance and Tampering with Evidence.
It was determined that after the accident she exited the vehicle, went into the convenience store on the corner and deposited an " 8 Ball" in the trash can. She then came back out to check on the victims. It was determined in the investigation that her and the driver had just left a party.
The driver of the Camero,54-year-old Roland Reed, may also have charges filed on him as he also left the scene, driving approximately to blocks where he was stopped by Conroe Police and found slightly injured and heavy damage to his vehicle. Police also did a mandatory blood draw on him and believe he may have been under the influence. Also a small amount of what is believed to be marijuana was found on his person. Charges on that are pending lab results on the substance found.
