Drunk Driver Runs Over Oklahoma Cross Country Team

Drunk+Driver+Runs+Over+Oklahoma+Cross+Country+Team

Nathalia Valdez, Associate Editor-in-Chief

 

Image:
Max Leroy Townsend

On February 3rd, 2020, six cross country athletes from Moore High School in Oklahoma were hit by a drunk driver. The driver, Max Leroy Townsend, did not stop after hitting the team; he continued for another approximate 3 blocks before he was caught. Townsend’s son, 29-year-old Cody Townsend, was killed in a car accident a couple of days before the incident. Townsend was convicted of 1st-degree manslaughter. Townsend, who showed “signs of impairment” after the incident Monday, has a history of arrests for drug possession and drunken driving, authorities said.

Rachel Freeman,a senior, died at the scene. The second student-athlete, Yuridia Martinez, a sophomore, died upon arrival to the hospital. Currently in critical condition is Kolby Crum, a senior. While the other teammates Joseph White, a senior, Shiloh Hutchinson, a junior, and Ashton Baza, a sophomore, received minor injuries.

February 4, 2020. [Photo by Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman]
Before first responders arrived at the scene, “heroic” students jumped in to help their injured classmates, said Robert Romines, superintendent of Moore Public Schools.”Without hesitation or second thought, our students were there with their friends and began lifesaving tactics including CPR,” Romines said at Tuesday’s news conference.

Facebook update made by the Superintendent

Sgt. Lewis, added that Rachel Freeman was going to announce that she had received a college scholarship due to her impressive running abilities. superintendent, Robert Romines, Released a statement to Facebook on Monday sending his condolences.