AMARILLO, TX (10/27/2016) — A wrong-way accident on Highway 87 Thursday morning has left two men dead and another injured.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) identified 61-year-old Barry Proffitt (of Amarillo) and 49-year-old Jack Jaeger as the two men killed a wrong way accident that occurred on Highway 87 just north of Amarillo, Texas.
The DPS reported that shortly before 8:15 a.m., Jaeger was traveling southbound on SH-87 in a 2001 Ford F-150 pickup truck when he crossed the center median and entered oncoming lanes of traffic. Jaeger continued traveling southbound in the northbound lanes and collided with a northbound 2004 Dodge pickup truck—driven by Proffitt—soon after.
After the initial impact, the F-150 caught fire and became fully engulfed in flames. Proffitt and Jaeger were both pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash by Potter County Justice of the Peace, Debbie Horn.
A passenger in the Dodge, 24-year-old Barrett Coon (of Amarillo) was flown via air ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
This accident is currently under investigation.
Commentary
Police are unsure at this time what catalyst caused the driver to cross the median. Google StreetView indicates that the area is clear, and road conditions were dry at the time. A full investigation should offer more answers. If you have information regarding this accident, please leave a comment below.
