Three storm chasers killed in West Texas
Three storm chasers were killed Tuesday afternoon, March 28, 2017, when their vehicles collided chasing tornadoes in West Texas. Two of them were The Weather Channel contractors. Their show, “Storm Wranglers,” aired in October.
Two of the deceased were identified as Kelley Gene Williamson (57) and Randall Delane Yarnall (55), both from Cassville, Missouri, contractors for The Weather Channel. The third victim was identified as storm chaser Corbin Lee Jaeger (25) of Peoria, Arizona.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Chevrolet Suburban driven by Williamson, with Yarnall as a passenger, ran a stop sign at the intersection near the town of Spur, about 88 km (55 miles) southeast of Lubbock and collided with a black Jeep that was traveling westbound. The Jeep was driven by Jaeger. All three storm chasers were killed instantly.
Moments before the crash in which storm chasers Kelley Williamson, Randal Yarnall and Corbin Jaeger lost their lives on March 28, 2017. Credit: Kelley Williamson
On March 28, Kelley Williamson and Randall Yarnall aired their last live stream on YouTube. The video ends at the time of the crash, around 15:30 CDT.
Video courtesy Kelley Williamson
On Tuesday evening, The Weather Channel released the following statement:
"This afternoon we learned that three people died in a car accident in Texas, including two contractors for the Weather Channel, Kelley Williamson and Randy Yarnall. Kelley and Randy were beloved members of the weather community. We are saddened by this loss and our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of all involved."
Video courtesy Wochit News
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado warning was in effect at the time of the crash.
Video courtesy The Weather Channel
Severe weather threat shifts into the ArkLaTex Region Wednesday evening and night with the potential for large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain, and tornadoes. Heavy rain could lead to localized flash floods. Severe weather threat continues into Thursday. In addition, strong winds is keeping fire weather threats high through this same period across the Southwest and the Southern Plains, NWS forecasters said.
Featured image credit: KCBD-TV
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