Abilene Christian's Head Coach Among Injured in Football Team Bus Crash

LUBBOCK, TX — Abilene Christian University has identified the victims of a crash involving one of its football team buses, which occurred as the team was departing Texas Tech and heading back to Abilene. Among those injured was head football coach Keith Patterson.

According to a press release from ACU, the Lubbock Police Department reported that 19-year-old Parker Young, driving a Ford F-250, disregarded directions from the LPD traffic division and ran through the intersection of 4th Street, Marsha Sharp Freeway, and University Avenue. The truck collided with the front of the team bus.

The impact of the collision pushed the bus into another vehicle that was also turning northbound onto University Avenue.

Those injured in the crash include:

• Head Coach Keith Patterson: Evaluated for hip and leg pain, Patterson was released shortly after the accident and returned to work in Abilene on Sunday.
• Linebackers Coach Conor Dubin: Evaluated for a suspected concussion, Dubin's MRI results came back clear. He was hospitalized Saturday night and Sunday, with an expected discharge on Monday morning.
• Student-Athlete Sam Mason Jr.: Treated for a cut and bruise on his head, Mason was released soon after receiving medical attention.
• Bus Driver Darryl Kelley: Evaluated for possible broken ribs, Kelley underwent medical tests that came back clear. He was hospitalized Saturday night and Sunday, with an expected discharge around noon on Monday.

Texas Tech athletics dispatched Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt and team physician Dr. Michael Shy to the crash scene, alongside Lubbock Fire and Rescue medics.

"We express our sincere appreciation to the medical staff at UMC, the Lubbock police officers, firefighters, and first responders who rushed to care for our team members, as well as the Texas Tech athletic department for their willingness to assist our team in any way possible," Abilene Christian University stated.

The alleged drunk driver, Parker Young, remains in the Lubbock County Detention Center with a bond set at $1,500. He is charged with Driving While Intoxicated.