TEXAS – Nine people were killed in a violent head-on crash in West Texas Tuesday, including six students and a coach from a New Mexico college who were traveling home from a golf tournament.
The National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday said a 13-year-old was driving the pickup truck in the deadly crash. The NTSB also revealed the front left tire of the truck was a spare that blew out causing the truck to veer into the northbound lane, ultimately causing the crash.
The deceased were identified as Golf coach Tyler James, 26, of Hobbs, New Mexico; and players Mauricio Sanchez, 19, of Mexico; Travis Garcia, 19, of Pleasanton, Texas; Jackson Zinn, 22, of Westminster, Colorado; Karisa Raines, 21, of Fort Stockton, Texas; Laci Stone, 18, of Nocona, Texas; and Tiago Sousa, 18, of Portugal.
The Texas Department of Public Safety reported: According to preliminary information, on March 15, 2022 at approximately 8:17 p.m., a two vehicle major crash occurred on FM 1788 approximately ½ mile north of SH 115 in Andrews County. A Dodge 2500 pickup was traveling southbound on FM 1788. A Ford Transit passenger van registered to the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM was traveling northbound on FM 1788.
For unknown reasons, the Dodge pickup drove into the northbound lane and struck the Ford passenger van head on. Both vehicles caught fire and burned. Both the driver and passenger of the Dodge pickup were killed in the crash. The Ford passenger van was returning to Hobbs, NM from a golf tournament in Midland, TX. The van was transporting The University of the Southwest men’s and women’s golf team.
As a result of the crash, six (6) students and one (1) faculty member were killed. Two (2) students in critical condition were transported by helicopter to University Medical Center in Lubbock, TX.
The crash is being investigated by the Texas Highway Patrol’s West Texas Region District Crash Team with assistance by the National Transportation Safety Board. The crash investigation is still ongoing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.
