Investigation into Fatal Collision
Officials announced on Friday that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) plans to interview the pickup truck driver involved in a tragic accident with a church van in the Texas Hill Country, which resulted in the deaths of thirteen individuals from the bus.
Status of the Individuals Involved
The truck driver, Jack Dillon Young, 20, along with the sole survivor from the church van, 64-year-old Rose Mary Harris from New Braunfels, are currently hospitalized, according to NTSB investigator Jennifer Morrison.
Details of the Accident
The incident took place on Wednesday when the northbound pickup reportedly crossed into the lane of the southbound church van in Real County, Morrison stated. Tragically, twelve passengers from the bus, all senior members of the First Baptist Church in New Braunfels returning from a retreat, were killed alongside the bus driver.
Safety Belts and Vehicle Specifications
Morrison noted that it is believed that most, if not all, passengers on the bus were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision. The vehicle involved was a Ford Econoline 350 van that had been converted for bus use—a common alteration.
Factors Under Investigation
Federal investigators will consider various elements, including the conditions of both drivers, potential impairments, distractions or fatigue, the mechanical integrity of both vehicles, the crashworthiness of the converted van, and the road conditions at the time of the accident.
Prior Erratic Driving Reports
Officials reported that at least three 911 calls were placed before the incident, concerning an “erratic driver.” Real County Constable Nathan Johnson detailed that the first caller observed the pickup truck driver behaving erratically on Highway 83 while traveling north.
Emergency Response
Additional calls were made, prompting Real County officers to search for the truck without success. Another report came into the Uvalde 911 dispatch regarding the same vehicle, followed by a call that alerted emergency services to the collision between the minibus and the pickup.
CNN’s Steve Almasy and Tina Burnside contributed to this report.
