Nine people, including six students and their golf coach, were killed when a van carrying members of a New Mexico university’s golf teams collided with a pickup truck Tuesday night, law enforcement and university officials confirmed.
Students from the University of the Southwest women’s and men’s golf teams were returning home from a golf tournament when, “for unknown reasons,” a pickup truck crossed the center line of a two-lane road in West Texas and struck their van head-on, the Texas Department of Public Safety said in statement.
Both vehicles caught fire, the department said.
The university confirmed head coach Tyler James was killed in the collision. Both the driver and the passenger of the pickup truck also died in the crash, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
University officials said in a statement that seven of the nine passengers of the van died in the crash. The two other students were taken to a hospital by helicopter. Both were in critical condition.
The names of all the victims were not released as law enforcement officials said officers were still notifying family members Wednesday morning.
The University of the Southwest, a private Christian college in southeast New Mexico, said in a statement that counseling staff and a worship team would be available on campus following the crash.
“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,” the statement said.
In a statement on Facebook, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called the fatal crash “a terrible, tragic accident.”
She added: “As we await additional information from authorities, my prayers are with the community and the loved ones of all those involved.”
The golf teams were leaving a tournament in Midland, Texas, that included 11 teams. Midland College, the host of the golf tournament, announced that play on Wednesday would be cancelled.
Midland College President Steve Thomas said in a statement the college’s flag will be flown at half-staff through Friday in memory of James and the students who died.
“We extend our condolences to the USW family,” Thomas said. “This is a devastating loss to that school, and words cannot express how deeply hurt we feel for their loss.”
James was in his first season as head coach of the USW men’s and women’s golf program, according to his university biography. James also helped coach golf teams at Brownwood High School in Texas, at Howard Payne University, and East Texas Baptist University. He played collegiate golf at Ottawa University and Howard Payne University.
The Texas Highway Patrol’s West Texas Region District Crash Team is investigating the crash with help from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The university has organized a donation page for the victims and their families.
