Fiery Central Texas crash claims lives of 2 Texas college football players

The two people who died in a fiery early-morning crash Monday on a rural road north of Fairfield in Freestone County were identified Tuesday as Tyler Spillman, 19, of Spring and Bryce Cook, 19 of Houston.

They both were students at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, where they played football, Department of Public Safety Sgt. W.L. Wilson said Tuesday.

“We are saddened by the news that Cardinal football players Bryce Cook and Tyler Spillman have passed away. Their leadership on our football team and overall presence on our campus will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryce’s and Tyler’s families, friends and teammates during this difficult time,” the school said in a Facebook post.

Spillman and Cook were headed north in a passenger car on FM 488 when the car crossed into the path of a southbound gasoline tanker at around 3:45 a.m. Monday about 1. 5 miles north of FM 416, Wilson said.

The car and the cab of the 18-wheeler both burst into flames after the collision, he said.

Spillman and Cook died at the scene.

Autopsies were ordered.

The 56-year-old Fort Worth man who was driving the 18-wheeler was taken to Navarro County Medical Center in Corsicana with non-life-threatening injuries, he said.

The 8,800 gallons of gasoline the tanker was hauling did not leak or burn, he said.