Kilgore College Twirler Killed in Wreck

SMITH COUNTY — Kilgore College student Chelsea Kirkland, 19, Tatum, was killed in a wreck Tuesday morning on Texas 31 in Smith County. Kirkland was a sophomore and a twirler with the Kilgore College band who started classes at the college in fall 2009, college officials said. The fatal wreck happened about 9:00 on Texas 31 near the Smith County Road 25 intersection. Officials said a Cadillac was slowing down to make a U-turn when a sport utility vehicle driven by Kirkland came over a hill and clipped the left rear bumper of the Cadillac. Her SUV went out of control and rolled over several times. Kirkland was pronounced dead at the scene.