A Texas community is mourning the devastating deaths of two teenagers who were killed in a late-night crash that has left their families, classmates and teammates heartbroken.

Advertisements

Beau Vayon, 14, and Kinden Washington, 15, died Saturday night after the four-wheeler they were riding collided with a pickup truck on State Highway 87 in Newton County.

The two boys were classmates and deeply connected to the Newton Eagles community. They were members of the school’s junior varsity football program and marching band, making their sudden deaths especially painful for a community that knew them both.

Beau Vayon holding a largemouth bass fish while standing on a fishing boat, Photo Credit: 12NewsNow/Youtube
The Texas Department of Public Safety said the crash occurred around 10:15 p.m. Aug. 29 near County Road 3036.

Investigators said the ATV was traveling south along the shoulder of the northbound side of the highway as it approached a curve. A northbound pickup was approaching when its driver noticed the ATV’s headlights.

The pickup driver attempted to avoid the four-wheeler by moving toward the east ditch. At roughly the same time, the ATV also moved in that direction, resulting in the collision.

Both teenagers were transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital, but their injuries proved fatal. The pickup driver, 56-year-old Gary Riley of Newton, was not hurt.

For Ronnie Cochran, the tragedy became personal when he heard the crash from his home. Knowing his grandson and his grandson’s friend had been riding that evening, he rushed to the scene.

Kinden Washington wearing a purple and white marching band uniform while holding a large sousaphone, Photo Credit: 12NewsNow/Youtube
Cochran said he found one of the injured teenagers and stayed beside him as emergency responders worked to save his life. The boy was someone Cochran knew well and affectionately called him “Poppy.”

“I talked to him, told him to stay with us, ambulances were coming,” Cochran remembered.

Despite those efforts, the teenager died.

Cochran praised the first responders who immediately went to work, saying troopers used tourniquets and maneuvered underneath the vehicle to reach the injured teens. Sheriff’s deputies assisted with the rescue effort while emergency medical personnel provided treatment.

He also addressed reports about the position of the four-wheeler, explaining that it was located near a small ravine with all four wheels on the ground. The tight space around the vehicle made it difficult for rescuers to reach the victims, adding urgency to the response.

County Road 3036 road signage where a deadly crash happened that killed 2 teens, Photo Credit: 12NewsNow/Youtube
Now, Newton is rallying around the two grieving families.

Separate fundraising efforts have been established for Beau and Kinden, while a bake sale is scheduled for Sept. 12 at the Newton County Courthouse square. Meal Train efforts are also helping provide food and practical support to both families.

For those who knew Kinden, organizers say his absence is already being felt throughout the community — in classrooms, on football fields, during band rehearsals and among friends.

The same heartbreak surrounds Beau’s family, with supporters asking neighbors and friends to help ease the burden of daily responsibilities while the family grieves.

The message from the community is simple: Show up, offer support and remember the boys.

Kinden Washington, 15 (left) and Beau Vayon, 14 (right) both died in a deadly crash while riding an ATV, Photo Credit: July Gaytan/Facebook
Authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Because Beau and Kinden were minors, their ages were listed in the preliminary report, while their names were not initially included.