19-year-old driving to college badly burned by accused DUI driver, TX family says
_fitted.png "Texas Tech student Aidan Poole, 19, was severely burned after a driver crashed into the back of his SUV, officials told media outlets.")
A 19-year-old college student was driving back to school when an accused drunk driver crashed into his car, leaving him with “life-changing burns,” Texas officials and family say.
Aidan Poole was on Interstate 27 in Hale County on Sept. 7, when investigators say a Porsche driven by 44-year-old Thomas Rich slammed into the back of Poole’s SUV, KVII reported. Rich was traveling at an “excessive rate of speed,” the state Department of Public Safety said, according to KVII.
Poole’s parents, James and Kristi Poole, said he was on his way back to Texas Tech in Lubbock after pet-sitting for them at their home in Amarillo, KCBD reported.
The force of the impact sent Aidan’s SUV airborne and when it landed, the gas tank exploded, setting the vehicle ablaze, according to a GoFundMe page launched on Sept. 13.
“Aidan’s injuries are catastrophic,” and he was hospitalized in a burn unit “with severe and life-changing burns” as well as “experiencing significant trauma and PTSD from the crash,” it read.
His mother says he fought to survive the devastating wreck, telling KCBD about her son’s “determination to get out of there.”
“He struggled trying to get the door unlocked. He knew how to keep his eyes closed because there was so much fire,” she said.
Aidan Poole was just weeks into his sophomore year at Texas Tech, an honors student studying physics, math and German, according to the GoFundMe.
“He is selfless, tender-hearted, intelligent, and kind, with a witty sense of humor,” it read. In addition to support from family, “his girlfriend and love of his life … has been steadfastly by his side.”
Rich, the accused drunk driver, suffered minor injuries, KLBK reported. A 44-year-old passenger was also injured and later released from a hospital.
Rich was charged with intoxication assault but bailed out of jail, KOSA reported. Poole’s family told the station they expect more charges to be brought.
Lubbock is a roughly 290-mile drive northwest from Fort Worth.
This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM with the headline "19-year-old driving to college badly burned by accused DUI driver, TX family says."