University of Southwest van carrying Golf Team was hit head on by vehicle, killing 9
The USW campus community is shocked and saddened today
as we mourn the loss of some members of our university
family. The link below is USW’s donation site created in
support of the victims and families.
According to preliminary information, on March 15, 2022 at approximately 8:17 p.m., a two vehicle major crash occurred on FM 1788 approximately ½ mile north of SH 115 in Andrews County.
A Dodge 2500 pickup (vehicle 1) was traveling southbound on FM 1788. A Ford Transit passenger van (vehicle 2) registered to the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM was traveling northbound on FM 1788.
For unknown reasons, the Dodge pickup drove into the northbound lane and struck the Ford passenger van head on.
Both vehicles caught fire and burned. Both occupants of the Dodge pickup were killed in the crash. The Ford passenger van was returning to Hobbs, NM from a golf tournament in Midland, TX.
The van was transporting The University of the Southwest men’s and women’s golf team. As a result of the crash, six (6) students and one (1) faculty member were killed. Two (2) students in critical condition were transported by helicopter to University Medical Center in Lubbock, TX.
The crash is being investigated by the Texas Highway Patrol’s West Texas Region District Crash Team with assistance by the National Transportation Safety Board. The deceased were transported to South Plains Forensic Pathology in Lubbock, TX for follow up investigation. The crash investigation is still ongoing.
Number of Vehicles in Crash: 2 Number of Injured: 2 Number killed: 9
Location: FM 1788, ½ mile north of SH 115 intersection – 9 miles east of the City of Andrews
Posted Speed Limit: 75 mph
Vehicle 1: 2007, Dodge 2500 pickup
Vehicle 2: 2017, Ford Transit Van
Vehicle 1: Deceased
Occupant: Minor – name not released at this time, male, 13 years of age, of Seminole, Texas
Seatbelt: Unknown
Death Information: Pronounced by Justice of the Peace Neri Flores
Vehicle 1: Deceased
Occupant: Siemens, Henrich, male, 38 years of age, of Seminole, Texas
Seatbelt: Unknown
Death Information: Pronounced by Justice of the Peace Neri Flores
Vehicle 2: Deceased
Occupant: James, Tyler, male, 26 years of age, of Hobbs, New Mexico
Seatbelt: Unknown
Death Information: Pronounced by Justice of the Peace Neri Flores
Vehicle 2: Deceased
Occupant: Sanchez, Mauricio, male, 19 years of age, of Mexico
Seatbelt: Unknown
Death Information: Pronounced by Justice of the Peace Neri Flores
Vehicle 2: Deceased
Occupant: Garcia, Travis, male, 19 years of age, of Pleasanton, Texas
Seatbelt: Unknown
Death Information: Pronounced by Justice of the Peace Neri Flores
Vehicle 2: Deceased
Occupant: Zinn, Jackson, male, 22 years of age, of Westminster, Colorado
Seatbelt: Unknown
Death Information: Pronounced by Justice of the Peace Neri Flores
Vehicle 2: Deceased
Occupant: Raines, Karissa, female, 21 years of age, of Fort Stockton, Texas
Seatbelt: Unknown
Death Information: Pronounced by Justice of the Peace Neri Flores
Vehicle 2: Deceased
Occupant: Stone, Laci, female, 18 years of age, of Nocona, Texas
Seatbelt: Unknown
Death Information: Pronounced by Justice of the Peace Neri Flores
Vehicle 2: Deceased
Occupant: Sousa, Tiago, male, 18 years of age, of Portugal
Seatbelt: Unknown
Death Information: Pronounced by Justice of the Peace Neri Flores
Vehicle 2:
Occupant: Price, Dayton, male, 19 years of age, of Mississauga Ontario, Canada
Seatbelt: Unknown
Injury Information: Critical condition – transported to University Medical Center Lubbock, TX
Vehicle 2:
Occupant: Underhill, Hayden, male, 20 years of age, of Amherstview Ontario, Canada
Seatbelt: Unknown
Injury Information: Critical condition – transported to University Medical Center Lubbock, TX
Weather Condition: Clear
Road Conditions: Dry
Investigated By: Texas Highway Patrol’s West Texas Region District Crash Team
Assisted by: National Transportation Safety Board