Prison Bus Crash Kills 10 in West Texas

Authorities continue to look into a bus crash that killed eight prisoners and two corrections officers and injured several others in West Texas.

Preliminary information released by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice states that the bus was traveling from Abilene to El Paso when the crash took place. The bus left the roadway on Interstate 20 and collided with a train.

The bus had been carrying twelve inmates and three correction officers the crash killed eight of the prisoners and two of the correction officers.  The other officer and four inmates were rushed to a local hospital where their condition remains unknown.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of those killed and injured this morning in a tragic accident,” said Brad Livingston, executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in the prepared statement. “Their loved ones will be in our thoughts and prayers.”

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued prepared statement moments after the crash expressing his sympathy and condolences to the family members:

“I am deeply saddened by the news that two correctional guards died along with eight inmates, in connection with a tragic accident in West Texas on the Interstate 20 early this morning. I extend my sincere sympathies to the families of the correctional officers involved.” Patrick said in the statement. “Their dedication and service to the State of Texas will be missed and my prayers also go out to the entire staff of TDCJ and the offender’s families for their loss. I also pray for a speedy recovery of a third correctional staff member and four offenders who were transported with injuries.”

Texas Governor-elect Greg Abbott also issued a statement on the accident:

“My deepest sympathies go out to all who were impacted by the tragic Texas Department of Criminal Justice bus accident in Ector County today. Cecilia and I are praying for solace for the families of those whose lives were lost and for a full recovery for those who sustained injuries.”

Follow Ildefonso Ortiz on Twitter and on Facebook.

This article has been updated to include the statement from Governor-elect Abbott.