Rain led to one-car crash, witnesses say

By Melissa Christensen
Staff Reporter

Rainy conditions Tuesday night led to a one-car accident between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m. Tuesday on University Drive in front of the Walsh Center for Performing Arts, eyewitnesses said.

David Dunai/SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER A fire official examines the remains of a car that hydroplaned on University Drive Tuesday night and hit a tree in front of the Walsh Center for Performing Arts. The 1999 Pontiac Trans Am was driven by Shelley Lawson, a sophomore accounting major.

No serious injuries were reported.

Shelley Lawson, a sophomore accounting major, was driving south on University Drive in a red, two-door 1999 Pontiac Trans Am when the car hydroplaned and careened into the tree nearest to the bus stop, said Rossie Thompson, a driver for the Fort Worth Transportation Authority who witnessed the accident.

Most of the passenger-side panels, including the panel covering the door, were torn off by the collision. Debris was strewn from the right-hand lane to several yards into the lawn on the opposite side of the sidewalk.

Lawson said Scott Benson, an engineering major, was riding in the passenger seat.

Thompson said the car bounced back into the street before running up the curb and stopping on the sidewalk. She said Lawson and Benson climbed out through the T-top opening in the car because neither door would open.

An ambulance was dispatched to the scene, and paramedics examined the students. Fire officials said neither student wanted to go to the hospital. Benson did have a cut on his chin.

Both the driver and passenger airbags deployed in the accident. The car could not be driven from the scene.

Melissa Christensen
m.s.chrsitsense@student.tcu.edu