On Tuesday night near Midland, TX, a bus carrying the men’s and women’s golf teams of the University of the Southwest was in a serious crash with a pickup truck. Coach Tyler James as well as six USW students were killed in the collision.
“The USW campus community is shocked and saddened today as we mourn the loss of members of our university family,” the USW said in a statement released early morning.
The teams were attending a golf competition in Midland and were on their way back home when the accident occurred. Names of the students killed in the wreck have not been released, but the university administration has been in the process of contacting families of the students and coaching staff.
An investigation of the crash is currently underway. USW is coordinating with Texas law enforcement to assist with the investigation.
Head coach Tyler James was confirmed to be one of the fatalities, and, according to law enforcement, was driving the bus. He was in his first year as head coach for both the men’s and women’s golf teams. The bus had a total of nine passengers, including Coach Taylor. Six other passengers were killed in the accident with two currently in critical condition at a hospital in Lubbock, TX.
The other vehicle involved in the crash was a Dodge 2500 pickup. According to law enforcement, “both vehicles caught fire and burned.”
“For unknown reasons, the Dodge pickup drove into the northbound lane and struck the Ford passenger van head on,” DPS Sgt. Steven Blanco said.
Two passengers in the pickup truck were killed. Their names have not been released.
The crash occurred around 8:17 in the evening. According to CNN meteorologist Chad Myers, the weather Tuesday evening was clear with no fog in the area.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed her condolences in a statement released on social media.
I am deeply saddened by news of a fatal crash involving students and staff from the University of the Southwest in Hobbs. This is a terrible, tragic accident.
As we await additional information from authorities, my prayers are with the loved ones of all those involved.— Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) March 16, 2022
USW said counseling staff and a worship team will be provided to support its students, faculty and staff during this tragic time. Midland College has announced that it will be flying its flags at half staff.
Update 3/16 9:13 PM: Names of the deceased have been released by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Those killed in the crash are:
- Coach Tyler James, 26
- Mauricio Sanchez, 19
- Travis Garcia, 19
- Jackson Zinn, 22
- Karisa Raines, 21
- Laci Stone, 18
- Tiago Sousa, 18
Dayton Price, 19, and Hayden Underhill, 20, were listed as being in critical condition.
Passengers in the pickup truck were Henrich Siemans, 38, of Seminole County, Texas and an unidentified 13-year old boy. Neither survived.
