Who was Laci Stone? USW freshman golfer, 18, among nine killed in Texas car crash
NOCONA, TEXAS: A freshman golfer was one among many who died in a car crash on Tuesday night, March 15. Laci Stone, who played golf for the University of the Southwest, was reportedly killed with eight others on FM 1788 north of SH 115 when their Ford passenger van, traveling northbound, was hit by a Dodge 2500 pickup that was traveling southbound at around 8:17 pm.
@WFAA Bilingual Reporter tweeted, “Laci Stone had big dreams. Laci, & 8 others were killed in a crash last night in West Texas. The @USW_HobbsNM team just played in a golf tournament, when they got into a head on crash. I spoke to Laci’s mom: ‘Laci had big dreams, & had a heart the size of Texas.’”
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Laci Stone had big dreams.
— Malini Basu (@MaliniBasu_) March 16, 2022
Laci, & 8 others were killed in a crash last night in West Texas.
The @USW_HobbsNM team just played in a golf tournament, when they got into a head on crash.
I spoke to Laci’s mom:”Laci had big dreams, & had a heart the size of Texas.” 💔@wfaa pic.twitter.com/POocJFBFI3
The 18-year-old is survived by her parents, Chelsi and Haydan Stone, and two siblings — Johnathan and Kaygan. Her devastated mother took to Facebook to share her pain. She wrote, “I’m about to post something that no parent should ever have to post. I wouldn’t wish this pain on my worst enemy. Last night Laci’s golf team was involved in a crash leaving a golf tournament. Our sweet Laci didn’t make it. We are still waiting for a lot of details but as of right now that’s all I have. That our Laci is gone!”
Chelsi continued, “She has been an absolute ray of sunshine during this short time on earth. Haydan, Johnathan, Kaygan and I are absolutely devastated. We will never be the same after this and we just don’t understand how this happened to our amazing, beautiful, smart, joyful girl. But I do know that she had a relationship with God that everyone could see and I will always hold that near to my heart.”
The mother mentioned the matching tattoos that she got with her daughter. She wrote, “Right before we took Laci back to college she begged me to get a matching tattoo with her. I almost chickened out because I’m a baby but I went through with it. She of course is so strong that she didn’t even move. I’m so forever grateful that God gave me the courage to go through with it and always have this memory with her,” before adding, “If you know laci at all you know she is probably having the biggest karaoke party she can and singing Whitney at the top of her lungs. 6 other USW golfers also lost their lives during this awful accident and their coach. I know at least one of Laci's best friends lost his life next to her. Please pray for these families as well.”
Nine people, including Stone and a 13-year-old boy, have died in the accident. Other deceased have been identified as "golf coach Tyler James, 26, of Hobbs, New Mexico, and players Mauricio Sanchez, 19, of Mexico, Travis Garcia, 19, of Pleasanton, Texas, Jackson Zinn, 22, of Westminster, Colorado, Karisa Raines, 21, of Fort Stockton, Texas, and Tiago Sousa, 18, of Portugal," Golf Channel reported. The driver of the 2007 Dodge 2500 pickup, Henrich Siemans, 38, of Seminole County, Texas, also was killed. The 13-year-old unidentified boy was traveling with the driver.
After the tragedy, the University of the Southwest also released a statement that read, “The University of the Southwest can confirm that there has been a fatal bus accident involving the USW men's and women's golf teams. The university is currently attempting to notify family members of those involved in the accident. Counseling and religious services will be available to students, faculty, and staff on campus. The university will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available.”