JOSHUA, TX (11/25/2017) — A speeding driver caused an accident on FM 917 Saturday, which claimed the life of one teenager and left several others hospitalized.
According to the Texas Highway Patrol, 21-year-old Nathaniel Schaffer was driving a Dodge Charger westbound on FM 917 at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle just east of Joshua city limits. As a result, the Dodge traveled off the roadway and slammed into the passenger side of an occupied Ford Fusion (which was parked in a private driveway off FM 917) at around 9:00 p.m. Saturday night.
One passenger in the back seat of the Fusion, 18-year-old Samantha Usher (of Arlington), was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Fusion, 20-year-old Jarrod Richards (of Arlington), and two additional passengers (Elijah Lopez and an unidentified male) were hospitalized in serious condition. The driver of the Dodge, as well as his passenger, both reportedly suffered minor injuries.
While there’s no official word yet on whether or not the at-fault driver will face a criminal charges, it’s important to note that the crash is still under investigation by the highway patrol.
Commentary
Nothing is worse than losing a child due to someone else’s reckless driving, and our thoughts are with all of those affected by this tragic event. We will continue to update this page as more information is released.
