On Sunday, May 6th, at around 6:45 a.m., a one vehicle crash on Highway 16 south at the Buffalo Creek Crossing, cost the life of a local high school senior and injured a second. San Saba County Sheriff’s Office, Texas DPS Troopers, and San Saba Fire/Rescue and EMS responded to the scene. The vehicle, a 1999 silver extended cab Ford pickup, had missed the guardrail and struck a large tree on the west side of the roadway. The truck, driven by Nathanial Keith Carpenter, was traveling south on Highway 16, when it missed the curve, traveled the shoulder of the roadway and then struck the tree. The passenger, Payten Dwayne Vaugh, 18 years old, was killed instantly. Carpenter was transported to Llano ER where he was treated and later released. The crash is being investigated by Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Owens and TABC Agent Michael Deans has been called into assist with the investigation. Alcohol is considered to have been a factor in the crash and since the victims were both underage, an investigation is ongoing as to where the victims attained the alcohol. If you have any information that might assist investigators in this case please contact the San Saba County Sheriff’s Office at 325-372-5551 or 5432. The victim in this case, Payten Dwayne Vaughn, was due to graduate from Cherokee High School this month.