A group of Irving teens who police say stole alcohol and vaped THC after leaving school on Walkout Day on Wednesday were involved in a single-car rollover crash that left one of them dead and two others seriously injured.
Irving Police told NBC 5 that five 15-year-old girls left school on National School Walkout Day on Wednesday as part of the protest against gun violence. Four girls were picked up from Singley Academy by another girl who attends another Irving ISD school.
Police said the girls, who are all 15, drove to a nearby grocery store and were caught on security camera stealing alcoholic fruit drinks.
The girls got back in the vehicle and shared social media videos of themselves drinking the alcohol and vaping THC, according to Officer Robert Reeves with Irving police.
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"The vehicle only had a front driver seat inside the vehicle. Kind of similar to what you would see in a NASCAR vehicle," Officer Reeves said. "There were no other seats or seat belts for the other four passengers to actually sit in. They were sitting on the bottom of the car, metal frame."
Police said the driver was speeding and lost control of the car on the 3900 block of Story Road at about 1:15 p.m., hitting a tree and rolling several times.
One of the teen passengers was ejected from the car and died at the scene. Two other passengers suffered serious injuries that were not life-threatening and they're expected to survive. The other two passengers who were able to walk away from the crash left the scene and did not call 911, police said.
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The student who was killed in the crash attended Singley Academy, which issued a statement Friday afternoon.
"Our thoughts are with the family of the Singley student who passed away Wednesday, April 5 in a tragic car accident. This is a huge loss for the entire Singley Academy family and the Irving ISD community," school officials said. "The entire Irving ISD grieves the loss of this young life, and we extend heartfelt condolences to the family at this difficult time."
The school said they were aware of the planned walkout but that they could not prohibit students from taking part and implemented plans for students to use their voices in a safe manner on campus.
"We had this protest that is occurring in the walkout and then for individuals to leave the campus, to use it more of a skip day and then, unfortunately, get involved in an accident where one family is having to plan a funeral," Officer Reeves said. "No one should have to bury their children, right? Is the way the saying goes. The other families are definitely impacted by the way the injuries their children have occurred or the possible legal issues their child may be facing."
The school said additional counselors have been made available for students and staff affected by the loss.
Because the case involved minors, no names have been released. Toxicology results for the driver are pending. Charges are also pending for the driver and the other passenger who left the scene.
