The parents of an 18-year-old college student who was killed in a crash on a poorly constructed and maintained state highway have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Texas Department of Transportation.
The 14-page lawsuit, filed March 17 in the 146th District Court in Belton, seeks “fair and reasonable” compensation for the death of Romi Bomar — who died from injuries suffered in a wreck at a “recurring location for crashes.”
“At the time of the wreck, Ms. Bomar was driving to Temple College, where she was pursuing a degree in cardiac sonography,” said Attorney Damian Williams, a partner at the law firm of Varghese Summersett. “She was a young woman on the threshold of her adult life — full of promise, ambition, and purpose.
“This wasn’t just a tragic accident; it was preventable. Officials have long known that this stretch of road, particularly this curve, is hazardous, especially in wet conditions. Yet, they failed to address it. That failure has had devastating consequences. Sadly, Romi is not the first life lost there — and without change, she may not be the last. TxDOT must be held accountable for ignoring a known and deadly danger.”
At 10:30 a.m. on September 24, 2025, Bomar was driving east on State Highway 6 — between Owl Creek Road and Burgandy Lane in Bell and Coryell Counties — when her 2014 Jeep hydroplaned on the wet roadway while navigating a dangerous curve. She lost control of her vehicle and crossed into the westbound lane, where she collided head-on with a 2012 Ford F-350 pickup.
She later died from her injuries.
“In the year of Ms. Bomar’s fatal crash, at least a dozen motor vehicle crashes had already occurred along the same stretch of SH 36,” the lawsuit states. “Notably, months before Ms. Bomar’s death, another motorist was killed on the same stretch of highway after colliding head-on with a truck in wet road conditions.”
The lawsuit goes on to say that TxDOT Sgt. Bryan Washko publicly acknowledged to local media that it is “not uncommon” for crashes to occur in this area, especially when the roadway is wet.
The lawsuit accuses TxDOT of gross negligence, saying it was responsible for the ownership, maintenance, and control of the roadway surface, drainage, signage, and safety conditions on SH 36, including the dangerous stretch between Owl Creek Road and Bergandy Lane.
The suit says Ms. Bomar’s injuries were proximately caused by TxDOT’s “negligent, careless, and reckless disregard” of its duty. Specifically, the lawsuit lists the following acts and omissions by TxDOT:
- Failing to properly maintain the roadway surface of SH 36 in a safe condition;
- Failing to remediate or repair the danger at this stretch of SH 36 in a reasonable time;
- Failure to give any warning to unsuspecting drivers of the unreasonably dangerous and unsafe condition;
- Failing to take an action to eliminate or reduce the unreasonable risk of danger presented by the condition of the highway; and
- Failing to reduce the posted speed limit or implement interim traffic control measures on the subject stretch of SH 36 during or in anticipation of wet weather conditions, despite actual knowledge of the recurring crash history at this location.
Williams said crashes at this section of SB 36 is a pattern that can no longer be ignored.
“TxDOT has the resources and a responsibility to make sure that our highways are safe for the people who rely on them every day,” Williams said. “No parent should have to bury a child because of the government’s gross negligence. Romi’s parents want to make sure that meaningful change comes from this tragedy.”
