A 1998 Ford Mustang driven by Tayler Bryce Menard, 24, of Castroville and occupied by his passenger, Anthony Joe Aguirre Jr., 22, also of Castroville was traveling southbound on FM 471 this past September 4 when they veered off the road and struck a utility pole and then a tree in the terrible accident about 4 miles north of Castroville. Castroville volunteer firemen had to cut the young men out of the vehicle after a passerby discovered the tragic accident the next morning around 7 am Wednesday morning, September 5.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of these two young men, whose lives were taken much too soon. Responding to heart-breaking calls like these are tough on emergency crews as well, and “it was a especially tough for the young volunteer firefighters who knew and graduated school with these young men,” added Castroville Volunteer Fire Chief Rick Lair.
“Both occupants perished and had to be cut out of the car. We had to remove the roof and roll the dashboard up to get them out. They hit the tree at a high rate of speed, and it appears they perished on impact. We got the call just after daylight, and believe the accident had occurred about 4-5 hours prior,” Chief Lair said.
Aguirre was a member of the Medina Valley High School graduating class of 2014. After graduating from high school, he worked with his father as a carpenter in the building construction and remodeling business. Following the tragic event, friends commented online that Aguirre was a “bright young man and a treasure” who will be “missed by all who knew him.”
Menard was a member of the 2012 graduating class of Medina Valley High School. He became a mechanic and was employed with the Medina Valley ISD transportation department. Friends and family members commented that he was a “kind, helpful man” will be remembered “for his kindness to everyone.”
Mr. Menard and Mr. Aguirre were pronounced dead at the scene by JP Mark Haby. According to DPS, Mr. Menard was transported to the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office and Mr. Aguirre to Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. “Neither of the men were wearing their safety belts…. The road conditions and approximate time of the crash are unknown at this time,” according to the Department of Public Safety. “The investigation is ongoing, and all contributing factors are not yet known.”
