Late at night, taking a taxi may seem safer than driving home. However, this was not the case for five SMU students exiting a parked taxi at 2:45 a.m. on Thursday.

As the students were about to exit the taxi at the 3400 block of McFarlin, a GMC Yukon slammed into the back of the vehicle.

Second-year student Chris Beardon, who was already out of the taxi, was waiting to receive his credit card back from the driver when he was pinned underneath the vehicle.

The taxi driver, Beardon and second-year student Asha Ayyagari were taken to Baylor Medical Center.

According to Beardon, he suffered a severe concussion and does not remember the accident. He also has a small fracture in his right foot, a sprained left ankle and a minor kidney injury.

“I’m really lucky and thankful nothing worse happened to me. And, I would like to thank everyone for all of their support,” Beardon said.

The taxi driver and Ayyagari suffered minor injuries.

Second-year student Julie Coats, who was inside the taxi, described the accident as a “horrifying experience.”

“It’s ironic that we were doing the right thing [taking a taxi], and then this happens,” Coats said.

The 19-year-old University Park man driving the SUV was arrested for drinking while intoxicated, University Park Police Information Officer Lita Snellgrove said.

According to Snellgrove, the driver of the SUV was taken to University Park jail and his bond was set at $2,500. He is not affiliated with SMU.

The only charge that has been filed against the driver of the SUV is drinking while intoxicated, Snellgrove said.