Weekend off to tragic start Accident claims lives of two friends. Published May 29, 2004 Address of original story: http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?wcd=13857

Alvin residents are mourning the deaths of two friends killed in a one-car accident early Friday. Joseph Travis Vickerman, 23, and Benjamin James Garcia, 24, were killed about 12:45 a.m. when the 2003 Toyota Tacoma pickup Vickerman was driving ran into a ditch and slammed into a tree alongside CR 172 at Monsanto Park.  Both men were Alvin High School graduates. Garcia is the son of Alvin swimming coach Lenny Garcia. "They were best friends by the way," said David Vickerman, Travis’ father. Both had bright futures.  Travis was an ex-Marine who served in Kuwait and Bahrain during preparations for the invasion of Iraq. He served with the 3rd Marine Division, 2nd Battalion. His mother, Sharon, organized a support group for Marine mothers after Sept. 11. Vickerman left the service in August to resume his education. He'd been going to Alvin Community College, but planned to transfer to Texas A&M. "He wanted to become an architect," his father said.  Garcia had just graduated from college in California, Alvin football coach Mike Bass said. He had accepted a job out there and was home to see his younger brother graduate high school Friday. "He was a good-looking athlete," Bass said. Bass said it was Garcia who inspired Vickerman to pursue his education when he left the Marines. "He saw how Ben had gone through college," he said. "He had just been accepted to Texas A&M." Despite the tragedy, Garcia's family planned to attend Friday's graduation ceremonies. Lenny Garcia told Bass his last moments with his son will always be special. "He said, ’When he left me last night, I saw the greatest smile I had ever seen," Bass said. "That’s the way I’ll always remember him."  Department of Public Safety reports show both men were wearing seat belts. There were no indications at the scene that drugs or alcohol were involved, according to the report.