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Candlelight vigil to be held for Marshall ISD students killed, injured in wreck

The vigil will take place at 7 p.m. at Maverick Stadium.
Credit: Marshall ISD
(L) Ny'Jahl Armstrong, (C) Derrick Bennett, (R) LaTavion Jackson

HARRISON COUNTY, Texas — Marshall Independent School district will hold a candlelight vigil on Monday after two high school students were killed and two more were injured in a one-vehicle wreck early Saturday morning.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, troopers responded to the accident on SH-43, about two miles south of Marshall, around 1 a.m. 

The preliminary crash report indicates the driver Latavian Jackson, 18, was traveling north on SH-43 at an unsafe speed on the wet roadway. The vehicle hydroplaned, went off the road and struck a tree on the rear passenger side. 

Jackson was taken to a Shreveport hospital and is listed as being in serious condition. 

Two passengers, identified as Ny'Jahl Armstrong, 16, and Derrick Bennett,17, were killed as a result of the crash, according to Marshall ISD. Both were juniors at MHS.

A third passenger, Jerrold Maze, 16, was taken to a Longview hospital. Officials say he is stable at this time.

According to DPS, preliminary information shows none of the occupants were wearing seat belts.

Marshall ISD Superintendent Dr. Jerry Gibson released the following statement in regards to the tragic accident:

“We are sad for the loss of two of our high school students. Our prayers go out to their families of Ny’Jahl and Derrick and for LaTavion who is in critical condition. Counselors will be available as students arrive on Monday. It is extremely hard on students and community when we lose students. The students love each other and they are extremely close. As educators and as a community we will wrap our arms around our students, rely on God’s grace and comfort, and love our students through this sad season in their lives.”

The vigil will take place Monday at 7 p.m. at Maverick Stadium to honor the memories of Armstrong and Bennett, and to show continuing support for Jackson and Maze. The public is welcome to attend. 

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