HARTLEY COUNTY, TX (12/27/2017) — A 78-year-old Dimmitt man was killed early Wednesday morning after his car was struck by an 18-wheeler on US-385.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were called to the scene of an accident on US-385 at around 2:36 a.m. early Wednesday morning, about 1.5 miles south of Hartley.
According to reports, 78-year-old Stanley Smith (of Dimmitt) was driving a 2005 Saturn Ion southbound on US-385 when a 2007 Freightliner semi-truck traveling northbound crossed over the center yellow line and collided with Smith’s vehicle, causing extensive damage to the driver side of the car.
Stanley Smith was taken to a hospital in Dimmitt for treatment, but lated died from injuries he received in the crash. The driver of the tractor trailer, 40-year-old Keldrick Chappell, was reportedly uninjured in the crash.
According to DPS reports, both drivers were wearing seat belts. There was snow on the ground at the time of the collision, but DPS says that the road was dry. This tragic crash is still under investigation, and we will update this story as more information is released.
