HOBBS, N.M. (KRQE) – University of the Southwest (USW) school officials held a news conference Thursday regarding Tuesday’s fatal bus crash in West Texas Tuesday, killing several student-athletes and a coach. Seven members of the school’s men’s and women’s golf teams were killed in the crash.
Speaking for the University Thursday, USW’s Dean of College of Business Administration Dr. Ryan Tipton emphasized the deaths of the university members as a familial loss. USW has a total enrollment of around 1,100 students.
“They’re not only students and coaches, they are loved ones to us, and are members of our family here on campus,” Dr. Tipson said. “You’re going to hear that word over and over again, it’s the Mustang family, we truly are a family, and when we lose one, let alone seven, you can imagine what that’s like if you were to lose seven of your family members in one accident.”
In total, nine people died in the crash, while two others, USW students Dayton Price and Hayden Underhill have severe injuries. Texas law enforcement officials released the names of the deceased victims Wednesday. On the USW team bus, Coach Tyler James, 26, Mauricio Sanchez, 19, Travis Garcia, 19, Jackson Zinn, 22, Karisa Raines, 21, Laci Stone, 18, and Tiago Sousa, 18, died in the crash. In the pickup truck, Heinrich Siemens, 38 and a 13-year old passenger were killed.
