ANDREWS (WBAP/KLIF News) – The University of Southwest is mourning the tragic deaths of six of its students and its golf team coach in a head-on crash in West Texas Tuesday night.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said it happened in Andrews County and described the incident as a “very tragic scene.”
Investigators said a van carrying members of the university’s men’s and women’s golf teams hit a pick up truck head on. The team was returning from a golf tournament earlier in the day at Midland College.
It happened around 8:17 p.m. , a quarter of a mile north of the intersection of 115 and FM 1788, about nine miles east of Andrews.
The van was traveling in the northbound lane and a Ford F-150 was traveling southbound.
Head golf coach Tyler James was driving the van and is among the fatalities. USW officials said two of the passengers are in critical condition and are receiving medical care in Lubbock.
In a statement, USW officials said the community is grieving with the victim’s families.
“USW counseling staff and the worship team will be available on campus today to provide support for students, faculty and staff. Please keep the families of students, coaching staff and the USW community in your prayers as we come together to support one another during this difficult time,” said the statement.
The names of the other victims have not been released. The University of Southwest is a private, Christian college located in Hobbs, New Mexico near the state’s border with Texas.
The cause of crash is under investigation.
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