The Panther

Media Credit: Richard White

Sirens blared and lights flashed Sunday evening around 9 p.m. at the scene of an accident on FM 1098, when the driver of a white GMC truck collided head on with a tan Saturn carrying five passengers.

An unidentified male was traveling east on FM 1098 entering a curve when he struck the vehicle occupied by five Prairie View A&M University students Shanitra Dennis, Jasmine Blue, Shea Desso, Shameka Washington and Jerlunda Ross.

At the time of the accident, Waller County Sheriff's Department and City of Prairie View Police Department were reportedly pursuing the driver of the truck regarding a stolen vehicle. All occupants suffered injuries, police say.

"When I saw the accident my girlfriend and I were walking the loop," said Donivan Hall, a junior business finance major. "We heard the truck coming around the corner, saw him go around the curve and heard him hit an object."

Hall was walking the concrete path that loops the practice football fields on the southwest side of the campus with girlfriend, Serina Patrick.

"My initial reaction was shock," said Hall. "I had to ask myself if it had really happened. You see accidents happen on TV all the time but never right in front of you."

Fire trucks blocked oncoming traffic on both sides of the accident as four occupants were transported by EMS to North Cypress Hospital. Ross and the unidentified male were life-flighted to Herman Memorial Hospital. Officials could not provide information about their medical conditions.

Each vehicle suffered substantial damage. The front bumper of the Saturn was removed and the hood obtained substantial damage. The front passenger's door was also torn from the car upon impact. The front right wheel of the GMC truck flew off and the cab of the truck was partially disconnected from its bed.

The accident was investigated by the Department of Public Safety State Troopers.

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