HOUSTON, March 18, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - A 13-year-old boy was driving a pickup
truck that collided with a van carrying a college golf team in west Texas,
killing nine people, officials said Thursday.

  Six members of the New Mexico-based University of the Southwest golf team
were killed in Tuesday night's crash along with their coach, according to
police.

  The 13-year-old boy and his 38-year-old father who was riding in the pickup
truck also died in the accident, which occurred near Andrews, Texas.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Dodge 2500 pickup
veered into the oncoming lane, colliding head on with the van.

  Both vehicles caught fire.

  Bruce Landsberg, the vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety
Board, was quoted by KWES TV in Odessa, Texas as saying the minor was behind
the wheel of the pickup truck at the time of the accident.

  The 13-year-old was violating Texas law. A resident may obtain a learner's
permit in the state beginning at the age of 15 which allows them to drive
with a licensed adult over 21.

  Landsberg was also quoted by KWES TV as saying the pickup's left front tire
appears to have blown out before the crash, which occurred with both vehicles
traveling at high speed.

  Two University of the Southwest students, both Canadians, are in hospital
in critical condition.