The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported Wednesday that sixteen students who died in a collision with a lorry were riding in a compact car with only four seats.
When the 2015 Chevrolet Spark carrying the girls collided with the rock hauler Tuesday afternoon in Tishomingo, a rural city of about 3,000 people about 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Oklahoma City, only the 16-year-old driver and front-seat passenger were wearing seat belts, according to the highway patrol.
According to the highway patrol, the 16-year-old driver, three 15-year-olds, and two 17-year-old passengers were murdered. Because the girls are minors, their names have not been revealed.
Valendon Burton, 51, of Burneyville, Oklahoma, was recognized as the semi’s driver by the highway patrol. Burton was not hurt in the crash, according to the report.
The circumstances of the incident remained under investigation, according to the crash report, which was released Wednesday morning. However, according to KXII-TV, OHP Trooper Shelby Humphrey claimed Tuesday night that the girls’ automobile was making a right turn when it collided with the truck.
In a Facebook post, Tishomingo Public School Superintendent Bobby Waitman claimed the district had suffered “a great loss” involving students from the high school.
“Our hearts are torn, and our children and staff are hurting,” Waitman added.
The tragedy occurred just one week after nine people were killed in a disaster in West Texas, including six members of a New Mexico college golf team and their coach. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that a 13-year-old boy was driving a truck that crossed the centerline and collided with a van carrying University of the Southwest golf team students in that collision.
