Three Storm Chasers Killed Near Lubbock Identified
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SPUR, TX (CBSDFW.COM) - Three storm chasers were killed just east of Lubbock today in Spur.
DPS troopers say severe weather did not directly cause the two vehicle collision, but the storm-chasers were driving toward a tornado and ran a stop sign.
"A black suburban was traveling north on FM 1081, when it disregarded a stop sign and collided with a jeep traveling west bound on FM 2794," says Sergeant John Gonzalez with DPS.
Gonzalez says the chasers, identified as Kelley Williamson, 57, Randy Yarnall, 55, and Corbin Jaege, 25, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Both Williamson and Yarnall were contractors for The Weather Channel.
"We would encourage anyone driving down these remote roads to slow down and pay attention to traffic signs especially in inclement weather. It can become dangerous for all involved," Gonzalez says.
FOX34 chief meteorologist Matt Ernst spoke to KRLD 1080 about how quickly word spread about the tragedy.
"Anything like this a tragedy. It's certainly something that flew through the weather community as chasers tried to find out who was in the crash."
Listen to his full interview below:
