So sad to report a big tragedy has struck the softball community… our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the North Central Texas College family…

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DAVIS, Okla. (AP) — Four members of a Texas college softball team were killed after a tractor-trailer crossed the center median and collided with the team’s van Friday night just south of Turner Falls, authorities said.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Ronnie Hampton said three young women — all members of the North Central Texas College softball team — died at the scene following the accident that happened on Interstate 35 about 9 p.m. Friday. A fourth woman died at a hospital.

It was not immediately known how many people were on the bus. None of the victims have been identified.

The softball team was returning to North Central Texas College in Gainseville after playing a scrimmage with Southern Nazarene University in Bethany earlier Friday.

“What we do know is that the semi (truck) was headed north on I-35 when he departed the roadway and entered the southbound lanes,” Hampton told The Oklahoman (http://bit.ly/1vo7lIS ). “When it impacted the bus, it just kept going and went off the side of road. … We knew we had a two-vehicle accident by what we saw at the scene. … But it took about an hour before we found the semi.”

The front end of the team van was virtually untouched while the sides of the vehicle were heavily damaged. Troopers and witnesses said the driver’s side of the van sustained the worst damage.

Hampton said the van’s driver — who also is the coach of the softball team — declined treatment at the scene and escaped without serious injury. The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to a hospital for treatment and is expected to survive.

“Right now, it’s being investigated like a homicide,” Hampton said, adding that both drivers will undergo standard toxicology tests. Hampton said details of the crash were still not known but “something happened to cause (the semi-tractor driver) to depart the roadway and impact the other vehicle.” He said the accident will remain under investigation for several weeks.

*** On the softball team’s Facebook page, the following was posted at 7 am EST this morning:

NCTC Softball would like to thank each and every one of you that has reached out to us tonight. We have a long road ahead of us but with power of God we will overcome! We lost 4 beautiful amazing girls tonight that truly blessed me day in and day out! Such sweet lives gone way too soon! Coach T and Coach Hedrick love you girls and you will be forever in our hearts.

“So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:4, 6-8