2nd teen cross-country runner dies, 4 injured after driver plows into team

NBC News ^ | February 4, 2020 | Ben Kesslen and David K. Li

[Deo volente]

A second high school student has died after a driver — whose son died in a wreck over the weekend — plowed into a cross-country team on a practice run in Oklahoma, police said Tuesday.

Four other students were injured, with one remaining in critical condition, officials said.

[Deo volente]

Just awful. May be intentional, but doesn't appear to be terrorism.

[RummyChick]

Stark reminder that you can just be minding your own business and a twist of fate takes you out.

Going left instead of right alters the course of your life.

I once missed being killed in a car crash by seconds. Someone was looking out for me, for sure.

[BBQToadRibs]

Ugg. Terrible. Prayers to the families, friends, and classmates.

[Deo volente]

Once again, I’m wondering why this thread was so quickly removed from Breaking News.

I don’t get it. I also don’t expect an answer but hope for one anyway.

[redshawk]

Seems like it’s tied to the death of the drivers son over the weekend. Really sad all the way around.

[House Atreides]

Look at the guy’s mugshot. He went up on the sidewalk to hit the runners? This is definitely most likely an evil, INTENTIONAL act.

[LouAvul]

From a local article:

"Police suspect alcohol was a factor, according to Lewis, who said results from toxicology tests were pending."

Also, "Max Townsend (perp) has a lengthy criminal history in Oklahoma that includes multiple convictions for driving under the influence, public intoxication, possession of drugs and stolen property, stalking and child abuse, court records show. He served time in prison on convictions for child abuse, receiving stolen property and possession of drugs, but was released in 2009, state prison records show."

Just another scumbag:

[Vigilanteman]

Did the drive shout something which sounded like “All a Snack Bar”?

[HangnJudge]

This is another candidate for the TOBAS rule
Take Out Back And Shoot

[DesertRhino]

if it was deliberate, he’s gonna get the needle.

[HotHunt]

".... Stark reminder that you can just be minding your own business and a twist of fate takes you out...."

I was a long distance runner for decades when I was younger. Back in the day before it became very popular as a pastime.

It was unbelievable how many times people tried to run me off the road. I would be on the shoulder, just plodding along when some fool would come off the road and come so close to me, I'd have to jump in a ditch to avoid being struck. Yelling, shaking their fists at me or giving me the middle finger.

Most times it was deliberate. Occasionally, it was just an inattentive driver.

But people's worst sides come out when they see people out doing what they don't like. Or more accurately, out doing what they wish they could do and don't.

Thinking back, I'm lucky to be alive after some very close calls.

[SkyDancer]

I was on a hiking trail and came across a small memento someone placed near a rock; looked at it for a few seconds then went on. A minute later a rotted tree came crashing across the trail in front of me. Had I not stopped .....

[Carriage Hill]

Or just plain SPJNK.

[hal ogen]

Note to cross country teams: don’t run near streets or in streets.

[Carriage Hill]

“The injured runners were on the sidewalk when they were struck, police said.”

They should be running in fields, like my ‘63 HS’ CC Team did. Stay away from traffic and drunks. Fair disclosure: I was on football and swim teams. We never lost anyone to drunk drivers in those 4yrs.