Two tractor-trail rigs, a tanker truck and a pickup were all involved in a massive wreck that surprisingly only injured one person on July 23.
The wreck occurred at 1:55 p.m. on U.S. 81/287 north of Lawhorn Lane.
According to the Department of Public Safety public information officer the preliminary investigation revealed Alfredo Castaneda-Llamas, Logan, UT, was driving a 2025 Freightliner towing a trailer northbound. There were traffic control devices on this section of roadway advising of the right lane being closed.
That driver failed to control his speed as it approached a passenger car, slammed its brakes and veered to avoid a collision. He overcorrected and struck a Ford F250, driven by Amber West, 32, Wichita Falls.
Castaneda-Llamas’ vehicle continued and struck a third truck, a 2007 Peterbilt tanker truck driven by Jason Airington, 51, Springfield, MO.
That action caused Airington to strike a traffic control sign rolling onto its right side. Airington was transported to Medical City Decatur with non-incapacitating injuries.
The original truck continued and struck a fourth 2022 Freightliner towing a utility trailer driven by Mark Stephens, 65, Amarillo, coming to rest across both northbound lanes of travel.
An array of emergency vehicles responded to the scene that was spread across a large section of the highway.
Northbound traffic was diverted to the service roads as the scene was cleared which took more than an hour as traffic slowed to a crawl.