Copyright 2017 The E.W. Scripps Company
All Rights Reserved
Abilene Reporter-News (Texas)
EL PASO - A high school track coach was among two people killed when a pickup truck slammed into a charter bus carrying El Paso Independent School District athletes and coaches back from a regional track meet in Lubbock.
El Paso Irvin coach Arcadio Duran Jr., 48, was killed when the bus collided head-on with a pickup truck on U.S. 62/180 in Hudspeth County just after midnight Sunday. The Texas Department of Public Safety said the eastbound pickup truck driven by Gary Lawson, 51, of Hobbs, New Mexico, went into the westbound lane. Both vehicles swerved in the same direction, colliding head-on. Lawson and Duran were both pronounced dead at the scene. His vehicle caught fire after the accident.
From AB: Bipartisan Bus Safety Bill Rolls Through U.S. Senate
About 17 people from the EPISD bus were transported to two El Paso hospitals with what were described as non-life-threatening injuries, district officials said. About half were released Sunday and the others were staying for observation, district officials said.
EPISD Superintendent Juan Cabrera said district officials visited the injured at the hospitals on Sunday morning and "they were shaken up but doing well."
The bus was carrying students, coaches and trainers from seven high schools - El Paso, Chapin, Andress, Irvin, Jefferson, Burges and Austin.
Athletes and coaches from Canutillo and Socorro districts were traveling in a caravan with them and stopped to provide comfort and aid, he added.
The accident happened about 70 miles east of El Paso.
The charter bus, driver by a professional driver, was equipped with seat belts, district officials said.
Read More of Today's AB Headlines
Subscribe to Our Daily E-Newsletter
Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy
