Kylie Folmar Car Accident – This story has been updated to include details on Williams’ charges and information on Van Vleck ISD’s counseling services for students and families.
On September 2, a tragic accident on State Highway 35 in Matagorda County claimed the lives of two Van Vleck teenagers. Kylie Folmar, 19, and a 17-year-old female, whose identity has not been released, were passengers in a 2016 BMW driven by 19-year-old Kanye Williams.
The accident occurred around 12:35 a.m. when the BMW, traveling east on SH 35 at a high rate of speed, collided with a 1998 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. The Cadillac was making a left turn onto SH 35 from a store. Fortunately, the driver and passenger of the Cadillac were uninjured in the collision.
Following the impact, the BMW skidded off the road, hitting a power pole that snapped upon impact. The vehicle then crashed into a roadside sign and caught on fire. Both Folmar and the unidentified victim were trapped in the vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene.
After the crash, Williams fled the scene but was located at a Lake Jackson hospital approximately nine hours later, according to Sergeant Stephen Woodard of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Williams has since been arrested and booked into the Matagorda County jail.
He faces two second-degree felony charges for collision involving death. Additionally, he had three outstanding warrants: failure to maintain financial responsibility (for lacking insurance), a registration violation, and failure to appear in court.
The accident led to the closure of SH 35 for roughly 12 hours as authorities conducted their investigation and cleared the scene. In response to the tragedy, Van Vleck Independent School District has taken steps to support its students and families. Superintendent Christie Dement issued a letter to families informing them of the district’s counseling services.
“Our counselors, licensed school psychologists, and first responders will be on campuses tomorrow and thereafter,” Dement stated. “Our counseling team will be following up with more information concerning our staging areas on each campus.” The district’s support services aim to provide emotional and psychological assistance to those affected by the accident, helping the community navigate this difficult time.