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Accident in TX involving IWCC bus claims a life

News

May 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

An accident Wednesday morning in West Lubbock, Texas involving a bus from Iowa Western Community College has taken the life of  one person. According to Lubbock NBC affiliate KCBD, 21-year-old Emily Leatherwood, of Brownfield, TX, died, after the car she was driving crashed IWCC bus, which was transporting athletes to the NJAA National Outdoor Track and Field Championship in Lelleland, TX. 11 people were on the bus. Two of them reportedly suffered minor injuries, but refused medical treatment. Authorities in Texas said the bus was stopped at a railroad crossing when Leatherwood’s car hit the back of the bus. Under Texas law, buses are required to stop at railroad crossings. Failure to do so could cost the driver a fine amounting to as much as $500. Officials are trying to determine if something distracted Leatherwood, since there were no skid marks. The woman was not wearing her seat belt, as required by Texas law.