College golf team decimated in Texas car crash: 9 dead

Nine people were killed and two others critically injured Tuesday night when a pickup collided with a van in West Texas carry members of the University of the Southwest golf team and the coach.

The crash occurred about 30 miles east of the New Mexico border.

The pickup truck crossed the middle line of a two-lane road and hit the van full of students head-on, said Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Steven Blanco.

The crash killed six student-athletes and coach Tyler James, according to ESPN.

Two other students were taken to an area hospital and are in critical condition.

Both the drivers died in the crash. 

The team was returning home from a golf tournament at Midland College, about 300 miles outside of Dallas.

New Mexico Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham and Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott expressed their condolences to the teams and players after the crash.



“This is a terrible accident," Grisham said via Facebook. "As we await additional information from authorities, my prayers are with the community and the loved ones of all those involved."

Said Abbott: "We grieve with the loved ones of the individuals whose lives were horrifically taken too soon in this fatal vehicle crash near Andrews last night," according to the Associated Press

Beside James, the names of the victims have yet to be officially released.

The university tweeted that it is trying to contact the relatives of those involved in the accident. However, family members on social of freshman Laci Stone on social media confirmed her death.