ANDREWS COUNTY, Texas — Nine people are dead and two others are injured after a major crash Tuesday night.
According to Texas DPS, the fatal crash happened at 8:17 p.m. on FM 1788 north of SH 115.
A Ford passenger van that was registered by USW was traveling northbound, while a Dodge 2500 pickup was traveling southbound.
For unknown reasons, the pickup truck drove into the van head-on causing both vehicles to catch on fire and burn.
Six students and one faculty member in the van were killed in the crash.
The faculty member has been identified as Tyler James, the coach of USW’s golf teams and the driver of the van.
DPS has identified the occupants killed in the crash.
Henrich Siemens, 38, of Seminole was driving the truck. His passenger was a 13 year old boy who is not being identified at this time. Both were killed in the crash.
The occupants of the van outside of James who were killed were as follows:
- Mauricio Sanchez, 19, of Mexico
- Travis Garcia, 19, of Pleasanton, Texas
- Jackson Zinn, 22, Westminster, Colorado
- Karisa Raines, 21, of Fort Stockton, Texas
- Laci Stone, 18, of Nocona Texas
- Tiago Sousa, 18, of Portugal
The mother of Laci Stone also confirmed her death to WFAA.
The Mexican Golf Federation expressed its condolences to the family and friends over the passing of another student, Mauricio Sanchez.
Two more students who were in the van were transported by helicopter to Lubbock. Dayton Price was taken to UMC and Hayden Underhill was taken to Covenant, according to both hospitals. They have most recently been reported as being in critical condition.
USW Van Occupants
The van was heading back from a golf tournament in Midland where both the women's and men's golf team members were competing.
The team was playing in a tournament in Midland on March 15, and were scheduled to tee off on Wednesday against Midland College.
The Midland College Golf Tournament has been canceled due to the recent tragic events.
"All of the players and their coaches from the participating schools met together early this morning,” said Midland College Athletic Director Forrest Allen. “We were all shocked to learn of this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with USW as they grieve this terrible loss. I have talked with USW’s Athletic Director Steve Appel to let him know that all Midland College athletic team players and coaches are ready to help in any way during this time.”
NBC News received a statement from the President of the University of the Southwest President Quint Thurman.
We are still learning the details about the accident but we are devastated and deeply saddened to learn about the loss of our students' lives and their coach. My understanding is that two of our students have survived and have been airlifted to University hospital in Lubbock with serious injuries. We would ask for prayers for their recovery and for comfort and strength for all of families and friends and students of those whose lives have been lost.
According to the university's website, the school is currently on spring break
DPS is still investigating the crash.
The National Transportation Board of Safety also announced it would be sending a team to Andrews to investigate.
In a virtual press conference held Wednesday afternoon, the NTSB said the crash was a "high energy" collision.
The spokesman said the board also investigated the bus crash involving the Andrews High School band back in November.
