Four members of the Lady Lions softball team of North Central Texas College in Gainsville were killed in a bus crash after a big rig crossed the median and collided with their bus on Friday, September 26th. The team was returning from a game played at Southern Nazarene University, about 150 miles away. The crash occurred around 9 p.m.
According to authorities, the crash occurred on Interstate 35 in southern Oklahoma. The bus was carrying 15 softball players and was being driven by the team’s coach. The big rig crossed the median of the highway, striking the bus. Both the bus and the big rig sustained heavy damage.
Three bus occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth teammate was taken to a hospital, but died from her injuries. Other teammates were rushed to local hospitals by helicopter and ambulance. The team’s coach sustained injuries, but refused treatment at the scene. The driver of the semi truck, identified as Russell Staley, 53, of Sagniaw, Texas, was also taken to a local hospital.
The deceased victims in the crash have been identified as Katelynn Woodlee, 18, of Windom, Texas, Meagan Richardson, 19, of Wylie, Texas, Jaiden Pelton, 20, of Telephone, Texas, and Brooke Deckard, 20, of Scurry, Texas.
Local authorities have opened a homicide investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board was also summoned to the scene of the crash. The investigation is ongoing.
