'They were just kids,' Abilene man recounts rescue efforts after deadly crash

A 17-year-old Abilene resident was killed and four others were injured following a single-vehicle rollover crash early Sunday morning on West Lake Road. First responders were dispatched to the 6500 block of West Lake Road around 1:00 a.m. on June 7 after receiving reports of a major traffic collision. RELATED | Teen Killed, four injured in single-vehicle rollover crash in Abilene Before emergency crews arrived, Abilene resident, Joshua Benton, said he and his son came upon the crash scene while driving home from an evening fishing trip at Lake Fort Phantom. "What we encountered on the way home is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life," Benton said. When officers arrived, they discovered a Toyota RAV4 that had been involved in a rollover crash. Investigators determined that five people were inside the SUV at the time of the incident. Four occupants were transported to a local hospital with injuries. One passenger, identified as Michael Menjares, 17, of Abilene, was pronounced dead at the scene. "We came upon a vehicle that had rolled onto its side and was engulfed in flames," Benton said. "Teenagers at the scene were in panic, shock, and desperately telling me that some were still trapped inside." RELATED | Woman pleads guilty in 2024 crash that killed 3 Baird teenagers Benton said he immediately began helping those inside the vehicle. "I was able to access and remove the first teenage girl from the burning vehicle through the front door windshield and got her into a recovery position with bystanders to comfort her," he said. "Then immediately began trying to reach the second girl who was still trapped." Benton said he worked alongside bystanders and a nearby resident who brought a water hose to help extinguish the flames before first responders arrived. "We did everything we could until the first responders arrived and took over," he said. RELATED | 23-year-old motorcyclist killed in north Abilene crash According to the preliminary investigation, the Toyota RAV4 was traveling southbound in the 6500 block of West Lake Road when the vehicle began to drift to the right. The SUV left the roadway, entered a grassy drainage ditch, and rolled over. Police said there is currently no indication that intoxication played a role in the crash. But for Benton, the tragedy has left a lasting impact. "What has stayed with me most through this is the reality that these were just kids," he said. "They were someone’s son, someone’s daughter, someone’s best friend. Just hours before, they were laughing, making memories, and looking forward to tomorrow. In a matter of moments, everything changed." RELATED | 'I Won’t Give Up,' local man pushes for changes after deadly FM 18 train crash Benton said he hopes the crash serves as a reminder of how quickly lives can change. "This is a reminder for something we all know but too often forget: life is incredibly precious and fleetingly uncertain," he said. "None of us are promised another day, another hour, or even another trip home. Every decision we make behind the wheel carries the potential to affect not only our own lives but the lives of everyone around us. He is also encouraging the community to rally around the victims and their families in the difficult days ahead. "If this tragedy teaches us anything," he said. "I hope it’s the importance of driving responsibly, looking out for one another, and never taking a single moment with our loved ones for granted. One second can change the course of many lives forever and now five families will never be the same." The Abilene Police Department's Traffic Division is conducting a follow-up investigation into the collision. No additional information has been released. RELATED | Clyde mourns two teens killed in train crash as community rallies around family Those wishing to support the victims and their families can find links to fundraising efforts below: Support Caitlyn Garcia’s Recovery Support Jaydah Gray’s Recovery Support for Michael Menjares' Memorial