The exact cause of a wreck that killed three Mid County teens and left one critically injured has not been determined.

“An investigation is being done with our agency and the DPS (Texas Department of Public Safety),” Woodville Police Capt. Mike McCulley said Tuesday. “Either next week or the week after Christmas there will be reconstruction of the scene itself to better determine the speed in which they were traveling. There’s nothing concrete right now. It’s all preliminary.”

McCulley couldn’t speculate what led the 2007 Hyundai sedan to lose control and hit multiple telephone poles. But he said the site of the wreck, which happened around 5:30 a.m. Sunday on Highway 297, is at the crest of a hill and a curve. The speed limit in that area is 40 mph and speed or fatigue/distraction may have been factors in the wreck.

Waylon Paul, 15, of Groves; Natalee Merriman, 17, of Nederland; and Nicholas Breaux, 17, of Port Neches were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Christopher Wedgeworth, 20, of Port Neches was transported by helicopter to a Beaumont hospital and remained in very critical condition Tuesday afternoon. A passenger, Kristopher Kaye, was transported to a Tyler County hospital and released.

The initial report shows some of the victims were wearing seat belts, some were not.

First responders

McCulley said wrecks such as this one can take an emotional toll on first responders — police officers, firefighters, the team who used the Jaws of Life and others.

“We have kids and grandkids. It’s tremendously heart breaking,” he said.

One of the officers in the department is also a chaplain and pastors a church in that area. While not employed officially, the chaplain is available to assist with spiritual needs.

In addition, the DPS has licensed psychologists who can also help with counseling and therapy if needed.

Services for the victims

Services are pending for the Mid-County teens.

• Natalee Merriman — A gathering will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Broussard’s Mortuary, 505 N. 12^th St., Nederland. Services are set for 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with burial to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.
• Waylon Paul — A gathering will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Melancon’s Funeral Home, 1605 Avenue H, Nederland, with services to follow at 6 p.m.
• Nicholas Breaux — There will be no public service.