MEDINA COUNTY, Texas – A woman accused of driving head-on at two vehicles and leaving one person dead has been charged with murder nearly a year later.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said 39-year-old Paula Castilla caused a deadly crash in Medina County on purpose.
Still recovering from a torn ACL and cartilage in his knee, 25-year-old Eden Gauna said the crash could have been much worse.
On June 10, 2016, he was driving his 5-mile work route in a dump truck. He said a black Nissan Sentra going the opposite direction veered into his lane and didn't slow down.
"My reaction is to make a choice either take a left or hit it straight on," Gauna said.
Swerving, the truck flipped, pinning him inside, but Guana said he feels lucky compared to what happened minutes later.
Castilla is charged with murder after DPS troopers said she intentionally tried to hit a second truck head-on on State Highway 173.
Side-swiping a pickup after it swerved out of the way, a crash report showed that Castilla sent the 80-year-old man behind the wheel to the hospital. His 72-year-old female passenger died.
The report states that Castilla was on prescription medication for a bipolar disorder. Investigators believe one possible explanation was a medical episode.
Gauna said he feels bad for the other victims and realizes just how close it was.
"Truck could have kept going. I wouldn't know what would happen after that," Gauna said.
In addition to the murder charge, Castilla is charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She was arrested in Bexar County and is being held on $250,000 bond.