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A rollover crash near Fort Stockton on Sunday claimed the life of a 19-year-old Sul Ross State University linebacker.
Texas Department of Public Safety officials said the accident happened just after 7 a.m. on State Highway 18 when a northbound 2005 Ford pickup, driven by Ian Smith, left the roadway and rolled over.
Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt.
Smith, a football standout, graduated from Three Rivers High School in 2011 and was a sophomore linebacker at Sul Ross State University.
“Ian was a great young man that played football with an intensity that I will never forget,” said Randy Palmer, Three Rivers athletic director and football head coach. “I feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to coach Ian and be a part of his life.”
Smith played for Palmer in 2009 and 2010 at Three Rivers and was a first-team all-district selection both years.
