Late Monday night on US 271 South just outside Paris, Texas, an 18-wheeler struck a van carrying several Navarro College basketball players and coaches, leaving two dead and seven injured. Freshmen Jason Trier of Giddings, Texas, and Pa Sarr of Gambia, Africa, lost their lives in the fateful crash.
Assistant Coach Bibal Batley and Head Coach Lewis Orr were involved in the crash. Batley is believed to have been driving. Orr escaped with a \closed head wound"" and was later released from the hospital, while Batley remains hospitalized. Three other Navarro players were transported to nearby hospitals where they were listed in serious condition. Two others were reportedly in fair condition and later released.
""In looking at the van, I am real surprised we didn't have more fatalities,"" said Todd Varner, police department public information officer for Paris, Texas.
The van that was hit was traveling with another van, which was also transporting Navarro players and coaches. After realizing that they had made a wrong turn, the drivers of the two vans decided to reverse direction. The first van did so successfully, but when the second van attempted the turn, it was broad-sided by a tractor-trailer.
Counselors are on campus and prepared to face the delicate task of helping the victims' classmates and friends cope with the deaths of Trier and Sarr. ""Everybody up there is in shock right now,"" said Navarro College Athletic Director Roark Montgomery.
Today's game between Navarro and San Jacinto has been cancelled.
-The Corsicana Daily Sun contributed to this report.
