An under-age driver was behind the wheel of a pick up truck that triggered the accident that lead to a fatal head-on collision in West Texas on Tuesday. The National Transportation and Safety Board's investigation revealed the teen was driving the pickup truck that struck a van, killing nine people, including six members of a college golf team and their coach. He was also killed along with a adult male passenger. Investigators said the front tire of the pickup (a spare) had blown out before the crash.
NTBS Chairman Bruce Landsberg said they identified the victim's remains by his size. The 13-year-old, whose name has not been released, was in the vehicle with 38-year-old Heinrich Siemens.
According to the Department of Public Safety, a Dodge was traveling southbound on the two-lane FM 1788 while the school van was northbound. The truck swerved into oncoming traffic and struck the van head on. The NTSB said it was a high speed collision as the vehicles were traveling at an estimated 75 MPH.
The students were members of the men and women's golf teams at the University of the Southwest of New Mexico. They were driving through Lubbock returning form a tournament in Midland when the wreck occurred.
CNN said, "Two survivors of the crash, both students, are still hospitalized. The students are recovering and making steady progress, University of the Southwest Provost Ryan Tipton said Thursday."
University of the Southwest officials spoke to reporters Thursday morning for the first time, expressing a collective feeling of sadness and gratitude for support.
"When we lose one, let alone seven, you can imagine what that’s like. If you lose seven of your family members in one accident, you can imagine what that’s like. That’s what it’s like for us," University of the Southwest Provost Dr. Ryan Tipton said. "Just an outpouring of support from our local community, not only our local community, but all across the country. We have large organizations reaching out to us, what can they do to help?"
The school will hold a memorial assembly when the student body returns form Spring Break.