In the aftermath of the crash involving an ACU charter bus and two other vehicles, Head Football Coach Keith Patterson has shared his personal account of the incident. Additionally, ACU communications have released updates on the conditions of the four individuals who were injured.
On Saturday, August 31, moments after the game between ACU and Texas Tech University, a man disregarded traffic directions from officers and struck the bus at the intersection of Marsha Sharp Freeway and University Avenue in Lubbock. The collision caused the bus to be pushed into another vehicle.
Head football coach Keith Patterson, who was on the bus, said everything changed in an instant.
“I’m getting ready to take a bite of a Chick-Fil-A sandwich, and then next thing I know, I’m looking at the bus, and people are trying to rip the door open to get into the bus,” Patterson said. It was probably one of the most violent, loudest things I’ve ever heard.”
Four people on the bus were injured and taken to University Medical Center in Lubbock. Head football coach Keith Patterson was evaluated for hip and leg pain but was released and returned to work on Sunday. Linebackers Coach Conor Dublin was evaluated for a concussion; fortunately, the MRI results came back clear. He was hospitalized and was discharged Monday.
Student-athlete Sam Mason Jr. was evaluated for a cut and bruise on his head and was released shortly after. Bus driver Darryl Kelley was assessed for possible broken ribs, but fortunately, tests came back clear. He was hospitalized and was discharged Monday.
Coach Patterson is grateful for the good medical reports, speaking at a press conference about the circumstances of the crash.
At a Monday morning press conference, Patterson expressed his deep gratitude to everyone who assisted at the scene and kept the team in their thoughts, noting that the situation could have been much worse.
“There’s no doubt that God was watching over us. You think about the number of players we have on that bus and the weight, and you’re talking about a quarter-ten pickup truck hitting a bus of that size and knocking us up onto the median and into another vehicle,” Patterson said.
“We express our sincere appreciation to the medical staff at UMC, the Lubbock police officers, firefighters, and first responders who rushed to take care of our team members, and the Texas Tech athletic department for their willingness to assist our team in any way possible… We also thank everyone, from our ACU family to others who heard the news and who have and continue to pray for our team and specifically those involved in Saturday’s incident.” – Statement from ACU Football
The truck driver, 19-year-old Parker Young, was arrested at the scene for DWI and released on bond on Monday, September 2. Patterson said he has no hard feelings towards the driver and hoped for a life-altering decision through the accident.
“It’s a life-changing experience for him, and there are no hard feelings. One, we’re thankful to be alive. Number two, we forgive the young man and hope that through all this, he makes a life-altering decision,” Patterson said.
The team used the Labor Day Weekend holiday to revamp before their first home game of the season. Patterson said this unexpected occurrence brought them closer.
“You see that life can be taken from you in just a minute. Football is just something that we get to do to get in our education days and to be able to provide entertainment,” Patterson said. “It kind of almost like even pulled us together even that much more… You’re sitting on a bus, and you just played a football game. You got police officers and escort all around you. The last thing you expect to happen is to get run into.”
Zack Lassiter, Vice President of Athletics, said the accident will not affect how the organization handles away-game travel in the future. They will continue to have police escorts after games.
Abilene Christian University will play against West Georgia on September 7 at Wildcat Stadium.
