Here's an article from Corsicana Daily Sun, Home of Navarro JC:
Corsicana, Texas Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Local News
2/10 2 Navarro students killed in collision: Van carrying basketball players hit by 18-wheeler in Paris (w/condition list, updates with name of second deceased player)
By JAKE SHAW and RAYMOND LINEX II/Daily Sun Staff
Two Navarro College basketball players died after a Monday night wreck involving an 18-wheeler and a college van in Paris. Two others were air lifted to Dallas-area hospitals, and veteran coach Lewis Orr -- who has 600 wins in his 28 years at the school -- was among five others injured.
The collision occurred on U.S. 271 South just outside of Paris. A second Navarro College van was not involved in the accident.
Justice of the Peace Ernie Sparks pronounced one player -- Pa Sarr, from Gambia, Africa -- dead on the site of the 9:49 p.m. crash. Another player, Jason Tier, 18 of Killeen, was pronounced dead at the Paris Regional Medical Center emergency room at 11:50 p.m. A member of the Paris Police Department said his family had been contacted and were being escorted by police to Paris.
The family of the player dead at the scene had not been notified as of 5 a.m. this morning.
"We treated eight people, one expired," said Derald Bulls, director of marketing and communications at the hospital. "We had two that were in critical condition, four in serious condition, and one in fair condition."
The two Navarro players Bulls listed in critical condition were transferred to Dallas hospitals. Freshman Chris Gonzales of Chicago was taken to Parkland Hospital and freshman Elijah Coppock of Columbus, Ga., was taken to Baylor University Medical Center.
A Paris PD spokesperson said it believed Orr was the driver of the vehicle. Navarro College Athletic Director Roark Montgomery said officials from the school told him student assistant Bilal Batley, also injured in the crash, was driving.
As of about 2:30 a.m. today, Paris PD's Public Information Officer Todd Varner said Orr had yet to be interviewed. Montgomery said Orr suffered a "closed head wound."
"We are deeply saddened by the news of this terrible accident," said Dr. Richard Sanchez, Navarro College president, in a press release issued about 6 a.m. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these students and our college community.
"The Navarro College Board of Trustees wishes to send their deepest sympathy to the families of these students and will pursue a proper investigation of this tragic event. We sincerely wish to thank the Paris community for their support during this time."
The other deceased player was from Africa. His identity was not released pending notification of family. Freshman Edward Horton of Shreveport, La., freshman Charles Dotson of Humboldt, Tenn., and Navarro sophomore transfer Roberto Flores, a native of Durango, Mexico, were the other passengers on the van struck by the tractor-trailer. The driver of the tractor-trailer, who wasn't identified, was not injured in the accident.
The Paris PD first received report of the accident at 9:49 p.m. Monday that a 2001 Chevrolet 15-passenger van from Navarro had been hit in the 4200 block of Clarksville Street (also U.S. 271 South).
"It looks like they went a half mile and realized they had made a mistake," Varner said. "The first van made a U-turn, and at that point (the two vans) were side by side. The second van then made a U-turn and the truck hit it perfectly broadside."
Sparks described the Navarro vehicle as "busted to pieces.
"In looking at the van, I am real surprised we didn't have more fatalities," Varner said.
Varner added it was inconclusive whether the front-seat riders in the van were wearing seatbelts, but said the backseats did not have them.
Montgomery said the news first reached him minutes after the accident.
A member of the van not involved in the accident contacted head football coach Chuck Lawrence, and word eventually reached Montgomery.
"A manager on the first bus called Chuck Lawrence about 10 (p.m.) and said the van behind them had been hit by a semi," Montgomery said.
The passengers of the van not involved in the accident were taken to Paris Junior College, where they contacted friends and family.
"Everybody up there is in shock right now," said Montgomery.
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The Associated Press and The Paris News contributed to this report.
Jake Shaw may be reached via e-mail at jshaw@corsicanadailysun.com; Raymond Linex II may be reached via e-mail at rlinex@corsicanadailysun.com
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People involved
Lewis Orr
Navarro head coach
Corsicana, Texas
Orr was in the second van that was struck by the 18-wheeler. Unsure if he or student assistant Bilal Batley was driving. Serious condition.
Johnny Estelle
Navarro assistant coach
Corsicana, Texas
Estelle was driving the first van with other players. Uninjured.
Bilal Batley
Navarro student assistant coach
Corsicana, Texas
Riding in second van. Could have been driving. Serious condition.
Jason Tier
5-10 freshman point guard from Killeen, Texas
Riding in second van. Died from internal injuries at Paris Regional Medical Center at 11:50 p.m.
Pa Sarr
From Gambia, Africa
Riding in second van. Deceased.
Edward Horton
6-3 freshman guard from Shreveport, La.
Riding in second van. Fair -- discharged.
Roberto Flores
6-7 forward/center from Durango, Mexico
Riding in second van. Serious condition.
Charles Dotson
6-6 forward from Humboldt, Tenn.
Riding in second van. Fair condition.
Elijah Coppock
6-7 sophomore center from Columbus, Ga.
Riding in second van. Suffered severe injuries. Transported by air to Dallas' Baylor Medical Center.
Chris Gonzales
6-8 freshman guard/forward from Chicago
Riding in second van. Suffered severe injuries. Transported by air to Dallas' Parkland Hospital.
