Texas Panhandle dust storm leads to 42 crashes, 4 fatalities, pileups

Friday’s strong winds and dust storm led to 42 crashes, three of which were fatal, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety on Monday.

These numbers include “the large pileup south of Canyon, which involved approximately 38 vehicles,” and three crashes that led to four deaths.

One of the deadly crashes happened on FM 168 and FM 1062, about two miles north of Umbarger. A stop sign had blown away, which led to one death and one injury in the two-vehicle crash, according to Texas Highway Patrol. John Lucero, 57, of Amarillo, was pronounced dead as the scene.

Another Amarillo man was killed in a three-vehicle pileup near Farwell on U.S. 60. In this case, a semi-trailer tried to pull off to the side of the road and was rear-ended by a GMC Sierra, then the Sierra was rear-ended. The driver of the GMC, Steven Ellard, 71, died.

The third fatal crash resulted in two deaths during a three-vehicle crash near Alanreed on I-40. A Kia Soul collided with a disabled truck-tractor, then was hit from behind by another truck-tractor. The driver of the Kia, William McKaig, 67, and his passenger, Richene McKaig, 73, both of of Phoenix, Arizona, were pronounced dead at the scene.

DPS Public Information Officer Sgt. Cindy Barkley said they were still waiting on the confirmed number of vehicles in the pileup crash near Canyon, and most of the crashes authorities investigated involved more than two vehicles.

Tuesday’s weather forecast shows the return of blowing dust and critical fire danger due to more strong winds passing through the area, leading to reduced visibility and officials urging caution.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Texas Panhandle dust storm leads to 42 crashes, 4 fatalities, pileups