The Temple College Tragedy on SH 36: Why Romi JoLee Bomar’s Death Was a Preventable Incident and How We Hold TxDOT Accountable

A life full of promise, ambition, and purpose was cut short on a rainy September day west of Temple, Texas. Romi JoLee Bomar was just 18 years old, a student at Temple College pursuing a degree in cardiac sonography, when her 2014 Jeep hydroplaned while navigating a curve on State Highway 36. The resulting head-on collision with a Ford F-350 pickup truck was catastrophic.

As we analyze the details of this heartbreaking incident, one thing becomes clear to our team at Attorney911: this wasn’t just a random accident. This was a tragedy that occurred on a stretch of road known for its danger, especially in wet weather. When a government agency like the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) knows a road is a “killing zone” and fails to act, they must be held accountable.

Romi’s parents have now filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the 146th District Court of Bell County, alleging that TxDOT failed to address a dangerous stretch of roadway with a documented history of crashes. Our senior litigation attorney, Ralph Manginello, who brings over 27 years of experience to these complex cases, understands the uphill battle families face when suing a state entity. But we also know that through relentless investigation and aggressive advocacy, meaningful change can come from tragedy.

If you have been affected by a similar incident in Temple, Belton, or anywhere in Bell County, you are not alone. You can reach our legal emergency line 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911.

The Reality of SH 36 and Bell County Road Dangers

The stretch of State Highway 36 between Owl Creek Road and Burgandy Lane has become notorious among local residents and law enforcement alike. Reports indicate that at least a dozen crashes occurred along this same stretch in the year leading up to Romi’s death. Just months earlier, another fatal head-on collision happened at the exact same spot during wet road conditions.

In Temple, Texas, we see these patterns far too often. According to the latest TxDOT data engine findings, Bell County is one of the top 20 most dangerous counties in Texas for motorists. In 2024 alone:
* Bell County recorded 6,022 total crashes.
* 54 fatal crashes resulted in 63 deaths.
* 14 of those fatalities were alcohol-related, but hundreds more were tied to road conditions and speed-related factors.

State Highway 36 is a primary artery for students traveling to Temple College and commuters moving between Temple and Gatesville. When a road is designed or maintained in a way that allows water to pool—creating a hydroplaning hazard on a curve—it becomes a “premise defect” under Texas law.

Legal analysts and law enforcement, including Department of Public Safety officials, have noted that crashes in this specific area of SH 36 are “not uncommon” when the roadway is wet. This admission is critical. It proves that the hazard was “foreseeable.” At Attorney911, we believe that if a danger is foreseeable, it is preventable.

Learn more about the immediate steps you should take in our video: “What Should I Do First After an Accident?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCox4Lq7zBM

Suing a State Entity: The Texas Tort Claims Act and the 6-Month Warning

Suing the Texas Department of Transportation is not like suing a private driver. Because TxDOT is a government unit, they are protected by “sovereign immunity.” However, the Texas Tort Claims Act (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 101) provides a narrow window where that immunity is waived.

To successfully sue TxDOT for the tragedy on SH 36, the Bomar family must prove:
1. A “premise defect” existed (the dangerous road surface or drainage).
2. TxDOT had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition.
3. The victim did not have knowledge of the condition.
4. TxDOT failed to warn of the danger or make the condition safe.

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING FOR TEMPLE RESIDENTS: If you are injured on government-maintained property or by a government vehicle, you do not have two years to act. Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, you must provide formal “notice of claim” within six months of the incident. Some municipalities in Bell County have notice periods as short as 90 days. If you miss this deadline, your case is barred forever, regardless of how negligent the state was.

Ralph Manginello and our firm have litigated against some of the largest entities in the world, including the BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation—a $2.1 billion case. We know how to navigate the bureaucratic walls that government agencies use to shield themselves from liability.

Watch our video on the importance of deadlines: “Is There a Statute of Limitations?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

The Physics of a Head-On Collision: Jeep vs. Ford F-350

The collision on SH 36 involved a 2014 Jeep and a Ford F-350. When we look at the biomechanics of this crash, the weight disparity is a major factor in the severity of the injuries.

An 18-wheeler or a heavy-duty pickup like an F-350 can weigh anywhere from 7,000 to over 10,000 pounds, while a passenger Jeep typically weighs around 4,000 pounds. In a head-on collision, the force of impact is determined by the combined speed of both vehicles. If Romi was traveling at 55 mph and the oncoming truck was at 55 mph, the “closing speed” is 110 mph.

At these speeds, the energy transfer is absolute. This often leads to:
* Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): The sudden deceleration causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull (coup-contrecoup).
* Aortic Shearing: The internal organs continue moving forward even after the body stops, which is often fatal.
* Crush Injuries: The intrusion of the engine block into the passenger compartment.

In Romi’s case, the lawsuit alleges that the road surface and drainage were so poorly maintained that her vehicle was essentially rendered unsteerable. When a vehicle hydroplanes, the tires lose contact with the road and ride on a thin film of water. If TxDOT failed to implement lower speed limits, additional signage, or improved “friction” surfacing on that SH 36 curve, the physics of the crash were set in motion by their negligence long before Romi reached that curve.

Why Experience in Federal and State Courts Matters

The lawsuit against TxDOT was filed in the 146th District Court of Bell County. Handling a case in the Belton/Temple area requires an attorney who knows the local courtrooms but also has the “big-city” litigation experience to handle multi-million dollar claims.

Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and has been licensed for over 27 years. This combination of local Texas roots and high-level federal admission is vital when investigating “gross negligence.” The Bomar family is seeking damages for mental anguish, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses. In cases involving gross negligence, punitive damages may be available to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.

Our firm includes a former insurance defense attorney, Lupe Peña, who now fights for victims. This is our “nuclear advantage.” Lupe knows exactly how state adjusters and government risk managers evaluate these claims. He used to be the one hired to find ways to blame drivers for “failing to control speed” even when the road design was the true culprit. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to anticipate TxDOT’s defenses and dismantle them before they can be used against our clients.

As Lupe Peña often says: “I’ve seen how they build ammunition against families in mourning. They look for one frame of video or one line in a police report to shift the blame. We don’t let them do that.”

Proving Knowledge: The Evidence TxDOT Doesn’t Want You to Find

To win the lawsuit for the SH 36 crash, the evidence must prove that TxDOT knew about the hazard. We look for:
1. Prior Accident Reports: The “dozen crashes” mentioned in the suit are just the beginning. We dig into years of data to show a pattern of neglect.
2. Maintenance Records: Did TxDOT receive work orders for that stretch of SH 36? Did they ignore recommendations for “grooving” the pavement or improving drainage?
3. Internal Communications: Emails and memos between TxDOT engineers regarding safety concerns on SH 36 west of Temple.
4. Expert Reconstruction: We use top-tier accident reconstructionists to prove that the hydroplaning was a result of road geometry, not just “rain.”

We move fast to preserve this evidence. Within 24 hours of being retained, we send out preservation letters (spoliation letters) that legally bar the destruction of maintenance records, traffic camera footage, and internal safety audits.

The Settlement Moat: What Can Families Recover?

While no amount of money can replace a daughter like Romi JoLee Bomar, the law provides for compensation to ease the financial burden and provide a sense of accountability. In a Bell County wrongful death case, beneficiaries (parents, spouses, and children) can seek:

Attorney911 has a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar results. For example:
* “Recovered millions for trucking-related wrongful death cases.”
* “Multi-million dollar settlement for client who suffered brain injury.”
* “Settled in the millions” for catastrophic car accident injuries.

Every case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Bell County Legal FAQ: Accidents and Government Liability

1. What if I was partially at fault for an accident on SH 36?

Texas follows the 51% Comparative Negligence Rule (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 33.001). You can still recover damages as long as you were 50% or less at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you were 20% at fault for your speed but TxDOT was 80% at fault for the road design, you still recover 80% of your total damages.

2. Can I sue TxDOT if I hit a pothole or a road defect in Temple?

Yes, but it is difficult. You must prove the government knew about the “premise defect” and failed to repair it within a reasonable time. The 6-month notice requirement applies here as well.

3. Does my own insurance cover me if I’m hit by an uninsured driver in Belton?

Many residents in Bell County don’t realize their own auto policy likely includes Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This covers you even if you were a pedestrian or a cyclist.

Learn more in our video: “Uninsured & Underinsured Motorists” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWcNFyb-Yq8

4. How much is a wrongful death case worth in Bell County?

The value depends on several factors: the age of the victim, their earning potential, the degree of negligence, and the quality of the legal team. Cases in Texas have resulted in “nuclear verdicts” in the tens of millions when corporate or government gross negligence is proven.

Find out more: “How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onBzdkIWadY

5. Why do I need a lawyer with federal court experience for a Temple accident?

If your accident involves a commercial vehicle (like a delivery truck) or a constitutional claim, it may be “removed” to federal court. Ralph Manginello’s admission to the Southern District of Texas means he is prepared to fight your case in whichever court the defense tries to hide in.

The 48-Hour Protocol: Protecting Your Rights in Temple

If you or a loved one is involved in a serious crash on SH 36, I-35, or any road in Bell County, follow these steps immediately:
1. Hour 1-6: Seek medical attention at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple or the nearest emergency room. Adrenaline hides internal injuries.
2. Hour 6-24: Do NOT give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster—including your own. They are looking for reasons to deny your claim.
3. Hour 24-48: Call 1-888-ATTY-911. We need to send preservation letters to TxDOT and any other involved parties before they “clean up” the maintenance records or overwrite surveillance footage from nearby businesses.

Why Attorney911 Is the Obvious Choice for Temple Families

We are not a “settlement mill.” We don’t take every case that walks through the door, but the cases we do take, we prepare for trial. We have taken on multinational corporations and secured justice in cases others rejected.

As client Donald Wilcox shared: “One company said they would not except my case. Then I got a call from Manginello…I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”

And as Angel Walle noted: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”

We understand the specific culture of Temple and the Central Texas region. Whether you are a student at Temple College, a worker at the local distribution centers, or a family living in Belton, we treat you like family.

As Chad Harris says: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client…You are FAMILY to them.”

Taking Action Against Negligence

The parents of Romi JoLee Bomar are not just seeking money; they are seeking “meaningful change.” They want to ensure that no other parent has to bury a child because TxDOT ignored a “known and deadly danger.”

We share that mission. At Attorney911, we believe that when the government fails in its responsibility to keep our highways safe, it must face the consequences in a court of law. We bring the resources, the internal insurance intelligence, and the federal-court-level tenacity to every Bell County case.

Don’t let the state or an insurance company tell you that a preventable tragedy was “just an accident.” You have rights. We have the experience to protect them.

We don’t get paid unless we win your case. Our contingency fee structure means you pay nothing upfront for our investigation, expert witnesses, or legal time.

If you are in a legal emergency, call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). Hablamos Español.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC. Principal Office: Houston, Texas.