Andrews High School Band Director Among Those Killed in Bus Crash

BIG SPRING, TX — Darin K. Johns, the band director of the Andrews High School Mustang Band, was among those killed in the horrific bus crash near mile marker 179 on I-20 Friday afternoon.

According to Texas DPS, there were three fatalities in the fiery crash when a Ford F-350 pickup truck traveling in the oncoming lanes collided with the bus. One adult died at the scene and a second adult was airlifted to a local hospital but later died. The driver of the F-350 traveling in the oncoming lanes also died. Two students were in critical but stable condition in a Lubbock hospital.

The news of Johns' death spread quickly by friends and family on social media. 

Johns was riding on the band bus headed to a football playoff game in Sweetwater against Springtown. The game was canceled following the crash.

Johns was a graduate of Abilene Christian University and served as band director at Jim Ned High School and Ballinger High School before leading the Andrews ISD music program starting in 2015, according to his Facebook page.

Johns was known for his passion for music that he shared with thousands of youth throughout his career.