Families bury three crash victims, driver in jail

Two Tyler County families had the unexpected and difficult task of burying their loved ones as funerals were conducted last week for two men and a girl killed in a Feb. 2 fatal crash involving two motorcycles and a car in Hardin County.

In the Spurger ISD Gymnasium on Feb. 9, family and friends said goodbye to James Cosme Means, 39, and his 12-year-old daughter, Cicillia “CiCi” LuAnn Means, of Spurger. They were buried at the Turner Branch Cemetery in Spurger.

Feb. 10, a funeral service for Allen Robert Wesenberg, 37, of Warren, was held at Riley Funeral Home in Woodville. Burial followed at the Village Mills Cemetery.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Brenon James Proulx, 50, of Silsbee, remains in jail for three counts of intoxication manslaughter with vehicle and three counts of intoxication assault with vehicle, all felony offenses, in connection with the three deaths.

Proulx’s total bond was set at $160,000 by Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Mark Ames.

DPS reported the crash occurred at 6:25 p.m. on FM 327, near the 748-mile marker, west of Silsbee. According to DPS, the preliminary crash investigation indicates a 2006 Saturn Ion, driven by Proulx, was traveling west, while two motorcycles, a 2015 Harley Davidson and a 2005 Harley Davidson, were traveling east. It is reported that the Saturn traveled into the oncoming lane and struck both motorcycles.

Means, the driver of the 2005 Harley Davidson, was pronounced deceased on scene by a Justice of the Peace. His passenger, daughter Cicillia, was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, where she later died.

Wesenberg, the driver of the 2015 Harley Davidson, and his passenger, his 7-year-old son, were transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment of lifethreatening injuries. Wesenberg was subsequently pronounced deceased by medical staff.

Wesenberg’s son was later transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital and reportedly underwent emergency surgery for a broken leg before being released to his own home to recover.

GoFundMe accounts have been set up for the victims.