Austin teacher killed by alleged drunk driver in Kendalia, officials say

KENDALIA, Texas — An Austin teacher was killed in a head-on crash in Kendalia, Texas, late Saturday night, officials said. 

Now, a man is facing charges, accused of driving drunk and causing the crash.

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office says Blake Wampler, 27, was driving drunk when he hit another car head on at FM 473 around 10:15 p.m.

The driver of the car that was hit, Kimberly Brasher, 56, died at the scene. 

KCSO says Wampler faces a charge of Intoxication Manslaughter. He was also found to be carrying a handgun, leading to an additional charge of unlawfully carrying of a weapon. 

On Tuesday he was bonded out, and released from jail. 

Meanwhile, friends of Brasher say she was a respected member of the community, who was currently living in Austin and originally from Arkansas.

“She was kind and generous and a bright light to everyone around her. I just saw her in March at a show. I’m shocked and so saddened to learn of her death. My heart goes out to her kids,” Basher’s friend Cary Cooper said in a statement.

Malee Hundsdorfer grew up with Brasher in Amarillo, and reunited when Brasher came to teach in Austin. 

“She caught me up on her life and she lives such an adventurous life,” she said. “I mean, she told me the best stories and she just she loved life, she loved nature. And she just had a heart of gold. She really did.” 

According to Hundsdorfer, Brasher was a mother of two, a dyslexia teacher, and a yoga instructor who loved the outdoors. 

“I hugged her bye since she was leaving town and I didn’t know it was for the last time,” Hundsdorfer said. “She will certainly be missed.”

This is a developing story and further details will be added as they are received.

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