UPDATE: TxDOT representatives say they have done all they can to try to make an intersection on 287 near the Harrold Truck stop safer.

Meanwhile, DPS Troopers say drivers need to pay closer attention while traveling along that deadly stretch of roadway, after another fatal accident occurred there Sunday night.

Dps Trooper Dan Buesing says 40-year-old Travis Lee Higginbotham crashed his pick-up into an 18-wheeler semi that was trying to turn into the truck stop.

Trooper Buesing says the semi was traveling south, taking a left across the northbound lane, when the Chevy crashed head-on into the side of the trailer, wedging the front of the pickup under the trailer.

Higginbotham was pronounced dead at the scene.

This is the second fatal accident that has happened in that same spot this year.

The first happened in Feburary when a jeep rear ended a car driven by an Amarillo woman, who was killed instantly.

“We have available to us special safety money, so we’ve applied that through the years and that helps, with getting things installed quicker and easier. So we have our engineers out there several times in the last 20 years or more looking at the situation and assessing it,” TxDOT Representative, Adele Lewis said.

DPS Troopers say speed is often the main culprit behind collisions at the intersection.

“That area is pretty dangerous just because you’re mixing highway speeds with slower traffic, and traffic crossing the highway to get to the truck stop,” Beusing said.
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State troopers say the intersection of Highway 287 at the Harrold Truck Stop has claimed a life.

Trooper Dan Buesing says 40-year-old Travis Lee Higginbotham died around 8:45 Sunday night when he crashed a Chevy pick-up into an 18-wheeler semi, turning into the truck stop.

He says the semi was facing south, taking a left across the northbound lane into the truck stop, when the Chevy crashed head-on into the side of the trailer, wedging the front of the pickup under the trailer.

He says no skid marks were immediately visible and there have been no traffic citations issued.

Trooper Buesing says Travis Higginbotham lives in Merit, Texas and was driving a company car.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured, however he was transporting a load of bees, some of which escaped, and Trooper Buesing said made it difficult for first responders to reach Higginbotham.

Officials were able to patch up a hole in the side of the trailer and contain the bees.