Stoney Garland, 33, ex-Texas Tech player paralyzed in crash

LUBBOCK, Texas - Former Texas Tech defensive tackle Stoney Garland, who was paralyzed in a car accident more than a decade ago, has died. He was 33.

Mr. Garland died at his home in Plains on Wednesday, the school's athletic department said yesterday.

In 1997, Mr. Garland, a 6-foot-6, 285-pounder, transferred to Texas Tech from Navarro Junior College and played one year under coach Spike Dykes.

In November 1997, Mr. Garland was riding with three others in the front seat of a pickup truck that rear-ended a car near campus. Mr. Garland was not wearing a seat belt, and his head hit the windshield.

He spent the past 10 1/2 years in a wheelchair with movement limited to his head, neck, and left arm.