Moore HS Cross Country Speaks About The Loss Of His Students 4 Months After Deadly Crash

Four months after a pickup drove into several students on Moore High School's cross-country track team, their coach spoke out about the loss of his students.

"You kind of get each other," said Brian Givens, Moore High School cross country coach.

For a team to get each other, to a team to be torn apart.

"They were amazing kids, and I was truly honored to get to coach them," Givens said.

Yuridia Martinez, Kolby Crum and Rachel Freeman died after being hit by a pickup in February. Three other students were injured.

"You know, as a run, every time you go out, something could happen because you are along the roads and so forth," said Givens.

As many hope for the best, each time they go out, the unthinkable is possible.

"People don't understand unless you are a runner; you are kind of a running community," Givens said.

For one of the young ladies, Rachel Freeman, she was going to sign a cross country collegiate scholarship, but now, the focus is turned to the future runners.

"To be able to allow other students and athletes to be able to continue on and to continue to run at the next level," said Givens.

For Coach Givens, he will continue to coach.

"You are a running community that you understand each other, you respect each other, and you are there for each other," Givens said.

The man driving the vehicle, Max Townsend, is being held in the Cleveland County jail on 13 charges; three counts of manslaughter to the first degree, three counts of leaving a scene of a fatality accident, three counts of great bodily injury, and four counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving injury.

He is due back in court on August 7.