A GoFundMe campaign initiated by the Ector County Sheriff’s Office identified the Buena Vista ISD students killed in the head-on Crane County crash on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The three Buena Vista ISD students were identified as siblings, 18-year-old twin boys, Jaden and Jackie, and their 16-year-old sister Nautica. The crash also claimed the life of a 48-year-old Brownfield man, Gary Don Liles, who was the driver of the other vehicle.
The fundraiser said the Buena Vista ISD students were the children of Patrol Lt. Heather Perkins who has worked for ECSO for 23 years. The fundraiser urged community members to donate to ease the financial burden of the family as they grieve the loss. The fundraiser said:
“These are Good Folks, a precious family. We humbly ask for prayers and assistance financially to help pay for funeral services and unforeseen expenses that we all know will follow. We absolutely Thank You all !!”
In less than a day the fundraiser, with a goal of $40,000, has amassed over $147,000 as love and support came pouring in from community members. The GoFundMe also revealed the three siblings' grandfather Jackie, retired from ECSO in 2015 after 37 years of service.
What we know about Buena Vista ISD students crash
As the community continues to grapple with the tragedy, Sergeant Steven Blanco with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) disclosed the details of the Crane County crash that claimed four lives.
According to News West 9, on Wednesday night, Liles driving a GMC Sierra, was going southbound on Farm to Market 1053. Meanwhile, the three Buena Vista ISD students were in a Jeep Wrangler driven by 18-year-old Jackie Lee Perkins, traveling northbound on FM 1053. The two vehicles reportedly collided and the Jeep Wrangler carrying the siblings was fully engulfed in flames. All three siblings died on the scene.
Meanwhile, Liles was airlifted to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities said the crash remains under investigation.
Several community members who were acquainted with the Perkins family mourned the death of the children on social media. In a Facebook post, Odessa First Assembly Church members urged the community to pray for the victims and their family.
“Odessa First Assembly family please pray and reach out to Hattie Jurado and Destiny Jurado. Destiny has been in service with us recently. Vanessa Watkins is Hattie’s sister. They have been part of our church family and church community. Just let them know that we love them and we are here for them.”
A family friend Tina Villanueva also penned a tribute to the driver of the other vehicle Gary Liles.
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Meanwhile, Buena Vista ISD announced the school will be closed on Thursday and Friday. They also said a prayer vigil will be held in front of the school on Thursday at 6 pm.
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