Charges Filed Against Suspect In Crash That Killed Texas Softball Players

Charges have been filed against a man accused of crashing a semi-truck into a Texas softball team's van, killing four softball players back in September, 2014.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Russell Wayne Staley of Saginaw, Texas, appeared in court on Thursday and was charged with four counts of first-degree manslaughter.

After appearing with counsel, Staley was booked into the Murray County jail and released after posting bond. Each charge carries a penalty of not less than four years and no more than life, according to the OHP. 

The accident happened on I-35 near Davis, Oklahoma. A semi-truck driven by Staley veered off the highway, crossed over the center median, entered the southbound lanes and struck the softball team's van. The crash killed four softball players from North Central Texas College.

9/27/2014 Related Story: OHP Releases Identities Of Texas Students After Fatal Murray County Crash

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Katelynn Woodlee,18, of Windom, Texas, Jaiden Pelton, 20, of Telephone, Texas, Brooke Deckard, 20, of Scurry, Texas and Meagan Richardson, 19, of Wylie, Texas were killed in the collision.

During the investigation, police said they found a silver marijuana pipe and a bag containing prescription drugs in Staley's truck. The pipe reportedly had an odor of burnt marijuana.

10/10/2014 Related Story: Report: Drugs Found Inside Truck That Hit And Killed Softball Players