Buddhist monks on walk for peace from Fort Worth injured in crash near Houston
A group of Buddhist monks participating in the 2,300-mile walk for peace from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., were involved in an accident Wednesday night near Houston.
One of the injured monks underwent a successful surgery Thursday morning, the Walk for Peace team said in a Facebook update.
“The remaining monks sustained minor injuries and, with steadfast determination, will continue the Walk for Peace journey,” the post reads.
The crash occurred about 6:15 p.m. along U.S. 90 in Liberty County, according to the Walk for Peace team’s initial post. The group’s escort driver was also injured.
The Dayton Volunteer Fire Department responded to the auto-pedestrian accident, officials said Wednesday night on Facebook, and the eastbound lanes of U.S. 90 were shut down for a time.
Dayton Interim Chief of Police Shane Burleigh told the Star-Telegram that the monks were walking along the grassy area next to the highway and on the shoulder. The driver of a white pickup truck apparently didn’t realize how slowly the group’s escort car was moving and plowed into it. The car then hit some of the monks, injuring two of them.
One of the monks sustained serious lower leg injuries and was airlifted to a Houston hospital, Burleigh said. The other one was transported by ambulance.
The truck’s driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police, according to Burleigh. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the compassion, prayers, and well-wishes coming from across the globe,” Walk for Peace team members said in their post. “Your support brings great comfort to our community during this difficult time.”
Nineteen Buddhist monks set off from Fort Worth on Oct. 26 on a 110-day journey to promote national healing, unity and compassion. They were planning to walk at least 20 miles per day, according to Neeraj Bajracharya, general secretary of the Nepalese Buddhist Association.
This story was originally published November 20, 2025 at 9:08 AM.
