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Toxicology report reveals alcohol was factor in crash that killed 17-year-old

Posted at 9:52 AM, Apr 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-22 13:39:40-04

The toxicology report revealed that Victoria Dekay, the Salado High School senior that died in a car accident in April, had drugs and alcohol in her system at the time of the crash. 

Her blood alcohol content level was at .14.

Police said that Dekay was in the car with another teen when the single-vehicle accident happened in Cedar Park. A witness to the accident said the vehicle drifted to the right for some unknown reason, hit a barrier and rolled over. 

The autopsy revealed that Dekay died of blunt trauma.

Dekay was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The other teen was transported to St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center with serious injuries. He is now in good condition.

Investigators believe that Dekay was driving during the accident. They also added that the teens were not wearing seatbelts.

The accident happened on 183A toll road near Park St. Bridge. Police are trying to find out who was driving the SUV and what prompted the accident.

Salado ISD Superintendent Michael Novotny said he went to Cedar Park after finding out about the accident. On Tuesday morning, after speaking with Dekay’s family, Novotny said he informed the district about her passing away.

“It's a tragedy you never want to have to deal with. I relate even more than a superintendent, as a parent, I have three kids and one of them started driving this year now. So I can't even imagine the pain of having to go through that,” Novotny said.

He added Dekay, 17, was on the varsity volleyball team and finalist for homecoming queen. She was also part of the Salado Youth Leadership Program this year along with 18 other students.

To be part of that program, students have to apply. The students selected have leadership abilities or potential to be a good leader with a good academic record.

Dekay planned to go to Texas State after graduating in a few weeks.

"She was a great, young lady and had a bright future ahead of her. She was planning on going to Texas State to become a speech pathologist,” Novotny said. “[She] was very positive, well-liked by kids. A great all-around student.”

Counselors and local pastors were at the four schools for students to talk to on Tuesday. 

"We do the best to try to comfort and support our students as they go through this, as they grieve and our staff as well. A lot of her teachers were very close to her,” Novotny said.

The Cedar Park Police Department Traffic Division is continuing to investigate this crash to determine whether there may have been contributing factors associated with the incident. If there is anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have information about events leading up to it, we encourage them to contact Cedar Park Sergeant Scott Buchanan at (512) 260-4754.

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