Storm Chasers Killed Near Lubbock Tuesday
The line of storms that moved through our area this week might have been the reason for the death of some storm chasers Tuesday afternoon. Well, sort of.
KXAN is reporting that three chasers were killed in a crash near Lubbock .
It happened on Market Road 2794 and County Road 419 near Spur, 70 miles east of Lubbock. One chaser ran a stop sign and hit another vehicle which held another chaser. The accident didn't take place during a storm, they were just allegedly trying to get into position to cover the coming storms.
DPS is reporting that the driver who ran the stop sign was Kelley Gene Williamson, 57, of Cassville, Missouri. Also in the vehicle with Williamson was Randall Deland Yarnall, 55, also of Cassville. The car they hit was driven by Corbin Lee Jaeger, 25, of Peoria Arizona.
Williamson was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car. All three died at the scene.
Williamson and Yarnall were contractors for the Weather Channel, representatives of which released this statement.
"This afternoon we learned that three people died in a car accident in Texas, including two contractors for the Weather Channel, Kelley Williamson and Randy Yarnall. Kelley and Randy were beloved members of the weather community. We are saddened by this loss and our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of all involved.”
It's one of my personal dreams/bucket list items to chase twisters for a summer, but it just goes to show you how dangerous it can be, even before you get to the storm. If you do go out chasing, one person should watch the storm, the other should watch the road. Never chase alone.