By Crash News Writer 
Hardin County, TX (August 2, 2025) — A late-night collision on Farm-to-Market Road 92 claimed the lives of two recently graduated best friends in Hardin County. The tragic crash occurred just north of Silsbee on the night of July 31.
News sources show that the Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the crash around 11:30 p.m. Thursday near Farm-to-Market Road 1122. Authorities say Riley Ard, 18, of Buna, was driving a Honda Accord when he attempted to pull out from a gas station parking lot and was struck by a northbound tow truck.
Ard died at the scene. His passenger and best friend, 18-year-old Tracyn Brady of Orangefield, was transported to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, where he later passed away.
According to family members, the two had recently graduated high school in May. Tracyn’s mother shared that her son planned to become a substation technician through a union. She remembered him as a respectful and loving son.
The driver of the tow truck was not injured.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
The information in this article is based on initial reports from local authorities and may be subject to updates as investigations continue.
- The identities of those involved in the incident have not been released pending official confirmation and notification of next of kin.
- Further details about the accident, including toxicology results and potential charges, will be shared as they become available.
- Road closures and traffic updates related to the accident scene can be found by checking with local authorities or traffic monitoring services.
The content of this news story is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. All information is based on public reports at the time of publication, and details may change as investigations progress. Readers are encouraged to seek legal counsel if they or someone they know have been involved in a similar incident. The publisher assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this article. Learn more with our disclaimer.