There have been two fatal accidents this year at the same Wilbarger County truck stop and many residents are asking the same question, why?
The Harrold Truck stop is located at an intersection on Highway 287 with a gas station. Drivers who frequent the truck stop say they have their own ideas about why the accidents are happening.
Trucker Joe Wiggins who drives the roads night and day says, the city needs to build access roads. “If we had access roads i think the whole problem would be eliminated and it would keep the traffic so you could see what was coming and what wasn’t coming and keep trucks from running in front of cars.”
The most recent accident happened on Sunday about 8:45pm when an 18-wheeler, carrying a load of bees, was turning into the truck stop from the southbound lanes of 287. That’s when a white Chevy pickup driven by 40 year old Travis Higginbothom of Merit, Texas crashed into the side of the truck and went under the trailer. Higginbothom was pronounced dead at the scene.
The area has a lot of yellow flashing lights, signage and rumble strips on the road to warn drivers. Director of Public Safety, DPS Trooper Dan Buesing says other factors, like speed, can play a part in these accidents.
Slow moving traffic mixed with high speeds can be a deadly combination. Troopers say it really comes down to drivers paying attention when they are on the road and minimizing distractions.
– Newschannel 6
