Injured Chadron wrestlers identified

By Journal staff | Friday, December 05, 2008

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CHADRON, Neb. — The six members of the Chadron State College wrestling team who were hospitalized after a one-vehicle accident Wednesday evening have been identified.

They are Max Baker, of Elk Grove, Calif., Brett Hunter, of Rushville, Neb., Willy Jones, of Chadron, Neb., J.J. Pursley, of Brush, Colo., Mark Pfeifer, of Garden Valley, Calif., and Ty Brown, of Crawford, Neb. The six were taken to the Medical Center of the Rockies at Loveland, Colo.

Pursley’s, Jones’ and Baker’s conditions are listed as serious, according to the Colorado State Patrol. Hunter’s injury is listed as moderate.

The driver of the 2003 Ford Excursion, assistant coach Pfeifer, and Brown have minor injuries.

The final passenger in the Excursion, student assistant coach Tony Arena of Kelsey, Calif., was released on the scene.

According to the Colorado State Patrol, the accident occurred about three miles south of the Colorado-Wyoming state line on Interstate 25 and was reported at 5:38 p.m.

In the report released by the Colorado State Patrol, the vehicle was traveling south when traffic began to slow. The driver attempted to slow the vehicle, but the Excursion lost control, fishtailed and eventually collided with a guardrail on the right side of the road. After the first collision, the Excursion traveled south for about 38-feet before hitting the guardrail a second time. The Excursion then traveled along the guardrail and down an embankment to a farm access road, overturning one time. The vehicle came to rest on its wheels facing south, off the right side of the road down the embankment.

The Excursion was one of two CSC vehicles en route to Denver International Airport. The team planned to board a flight to Las Vegas, Nev., for this weekend’s Las Vegas Invitational wrestling meet. The Eagles will not compete at the event.

Team members who were not injured stayed in a Colorado motel Wednesday night.

“I know the entire Chadron State family joins me in keeping the injured athletes and their families in our thoughts and we all wish them a speedy recovery,” said CSC President Janie Park.