Marshall High School in Shock Over Death of Student

According to DPS reports earlier today, Marshall High School senior Hayden Blalock was killed when the vehicle he was driving struck a feral hog in the road on FM 1997 while in route to school this morning. According to the Marshall ISD facebook page, Blalock was not only a member of the school's FFA program but also a Marshall Maverick football player.

The school district is asking the public to please wrap their arms around this young man's family as well as the student body and teachers at Marshall High School during this extremely difficult time. The DPS released the following information regarding the details of the crash.

The Texas Department of Public Safety reports around 6:30 a.m., troopers responded to a one-vehicle crash on Farm-to-Market Road 1997, near County Road 4008, about five miles north of Marshall. According to the preliminary crash report, Blalock was driving west on FM 1997 in a pickup truck and hit a wild hog that was in the roadway.

DPS says Blalock's truck went off the roadway and hit a culvert on CR 4008 and rolled several times. He was then ejected.

Blalock was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was taken to a Marshall funeral home.

"Grief counselors and members of the Marshall Ministerial Alliance will be available in the MHS Library today to assist students and staff," MISD said in a statement. "Counselors will also be at DAEP and Marshall Early Graduation School. Please remember our Maverick Family in your thoughts and prayers today."

The young man leaves behind parents Craig and Danielle Blalock as well as two siblings.