Overview
- An 18-wheeler hauling Vandegrift High School’s band equipment was struck by a Union Pacific train in San Antonio around 2:38 p.m. Monday at Carolina Street and Hoefgen Avenue after becoming stuck on the tracks.
- No injuries were reported, and both the truck’s driver and passenger exited safely before the collision as students were already at the Alamodome.
- School officials said most instruments survived, though the percussion director reported three marimbas and four vibraphones were damaged beyond repair.
- UIL rescheduled Vandegrift’s prelim performance to about 9:15 p.m. Monday, and the band advanced to Tuesday’s round at the Alamodome.
- Reagan, Johnson, Flower Mound and Leander programs lent instruments and support, with local police and firefighters assisting at the scene, enabling Vandegrift to compete and ultimately earn the bronze medal.