Corsicana, TX : Driver charged in fatal crash found dead on Tuesday, January 27th 2017

The truck driver accused of causing the 2014 crash that killed four members of the North Central Texas College Lady Lions softball team is dead.

Russell Staley, 55, was found with a gunshot wound to the head at his home in Saginaw on Friday, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. His death was ruled a suicide.

Staley was charged with four counts of manslaughter following an investigation into a crash involving a 2013 Peterbilt semi and a 2008 Motor Coach carrying the Lady Lions softball team back to Gainesville from a softball scrimmage in Bethany, Oklahoma.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Staley was driving the semi northbound on Interstate 35 in southern Oklahoma on Sept. 26, 2014 when he crossed the center median into oncoming traffic and crashed into the NCTC bus killing four students.

Jaiden Pelton, 19, of Telephone; Brooke Deckard, 20, of Blue Ridge; Meagan Richardson, 19, of Wylie; and Katelynn Woodlee, 18, of Dodd City died as a result of the crash.

Sidney Kirk, a former Corsicana High School softball player, was among those injured in the crash.

Navarro College hosted a candlelight vigil in honor of North Central Texas College, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014 at the college's clock tower.

In addition to the Tuesday candlelight vigil, Navarro College released balloons prior to that season's homecoming football game in honor of NCTC.

Brent Wallace, president of NCTC, issued a statement Monday afternoon regarding the news of Staley’s death.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those affected by the events surrounding the NCTC bus crash,” he said. “We continue to offer our support to the families of the four Lady Lions.”

Wallace said the school would appreciate continued respect for the families, coaches, teammates and others directly affected.

According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board, Staley was impaired by synthetic cannabinoids and failed to take corrective action to avoid crossing into the path of the NCTC bus. He also had a history of drug use, the report states.

Staley was released on a personal recognizance bond on June 26, 2015 — a day after the manslaughter charges were filed, officials said.

According to the Murray County Court Clerk’s Office in Sulphur, Oklahoma, Staley had a status conference set for Friday and a bench trial scheduled for March 8.

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Driver charged in fatal crash found dead