On Friday night, a crash in Oklahoma took the lives of four North Central Texas College (NCTC) students. According to KFDX News Channel Three, 15 members of the NCTC women’s softball team were on the bus at the time of the crash. For currently unknown reasons, a semi-truck struck their bus head-on. The four NCTC students killed in the crash were 18-year-old Katelynn Woodlee, 19-year-old Meagan Richardson, 20-year-old Jaiden Pelton and 20-year-old Brooke Deckard.
The collision happened on I-35, near Ardmore, Oklahoma. The particular stretch of I-35 has a speed limit of 70 miles per hour, and no cable barriers between the opposing lanes. There was only a wide grassy median between the northbound and southbound lanes. The team was returning to Gainesville from a game with Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma. First responders and witnesses were on the scene shortly after the crash.
Injured Softball Player From Burkburnett
One of the surviving victims, Kaylea Armstrong, is from Burkburnett. She recounted her experience in the crash and shared memories of her teammates and friends with KFDX News. Kaylea suffered from lacerations to her back, arms and head and required around 40 stitches and five staples.
Deadly Crash Still Under Investigation
At this time, the crash is still under investigation with authorities. The driver was reportedly distracted by something in the cab of the truck prior to the crash. Investigators are still putting pieces of the puzzle together, but apparently, the driver did not make the slight curve in the road, and they found no skid marks to indicate evasive maneuvers.
Medical Records of Truck Driver Subpoenaed
According to The Oklahoman, federal investigators have subpoenaed the medical records of the semi truck driver, in accordance with investigative procedures involving mass-casualty crashes. Investigators are likely going to try to rule out whether or not any potential medical issues or medications could have been factors in the collision.
On Sunday night, fellow students, teammates, loved ones and friends held a candlelight vigil on the NCTC campus, and as of Monday, two of the injured young women were still in the hospital. The team at the Altman Legal Group sends their deepest heartfelt condolences to the family members, friends, loved ones and teammates of Katelynn Woodlee, Meagan Richardson, Jaiden Pelton and Brooke Deckard. We also wish full and speedy recoveries to all of the young women injured in this tragic crash.