Eisleer Jose Castillo Gomez – Authorities have released the identities of the two men killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Copperas Cove on August 27. According to officials, the driver was identified as 21-year-old Nasryth Antonio Funes of Fort Hood, while his front-seat passenger was 27-year-old Eisleer Jose Castillo Gomez of Orlando, Florida. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene after emergency crews arrived.
Because the victims’ families live out of state, police worked alongside other agencies to ensure next-of-kin notifications were made as quickly and respectfully as possible.
The collision, which involved six vehicles in total, was reported at approximately 7:29 p.m. on Wednesday evening in the 700 block of U.S. Highway 190. Witnesses told dispatchers that at least one of the vehicles was on fire, prompting a swift response from both Copperas Cove police officers and fire department personnel.
When first responders arrived, they discovered a chaotic scene. Crews worked quickly to put out the vehicle fires while simultaneously attending to multiple injured individuals. Several people were treated at the scene for various injuries, while others required hospitalization. At least one victim was transported by air ambulance to a nearby trauma center due to the severity of their injuries. Another was taken by ground ambulance for medical care.
Police say the initial investigation points to reckless driving as the cause of the deadly pileup. They determined that one vehicle attempted to pass another in a clearly marked no-passing zone while traveling at a high rate of speed. That risky maneuver triggered a chain reaction that quickly escalated into a catastrophic crash.
According to investigators, the vehicle attempting to pass lost control and was struck by an oncoming vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. The violent impact caused secondary collisions as other drivers, unable to avoid the wreckage, became entangled in the crash. Ultimately, six vehicles were involved, leaving behind widespread destruction, multiple injuries, and two fatalities.
Officials emphasized that the tragic incident underscores the dangers of unsafe passing and excessive speed on busy roadways. A split-second decision to ignore traffic laws not only cost two men their lives but also endangered many others, some of whom are still recovering from their injuries.
The Copperas Cove Police Department, along with other assisting agencies, continues to investigate the crash in detail. Their work includes reconstructing the events leading up to the collision, gathering witness statements, and reviewing physical evidence from the scene. At this stage, the investigation remains ongoing, and further updates may be released as more information becomes available.
Authorities used the incident to remind the public of the importance of obeying traffic laws, especially in areas marked as no-passing zones. Speeding and reckless passing maneuvers significantly increase the risk of losing control and causing devastating crashes.
This multi-car accident has left a lasting impact on the Copperas Cove community and serves as a sobering reminder of how dangerous driving decisions can lead to irreversible consequences.
