Amarillo police officers are actively searching for a semi-truck after unsecured cargo killed a local driver on Fritch Highway Thursday afternoon. The fatal incident occurred around 3:08 p.m. when a large piece of concrete fell off a commercial rig.
The heavy block bounced into the southbound lane and smashed through the front glass of a Toyota Tundra. Lonnie Xaymongkhune, 69, was behind the wheel and took the full force of the debris to his head.
With Lonnie rendered unresponsive immediately, the pickup truck drifted off the main roadway. It rolled off the highway asphalt and came to a stop in a field on the west side of the road.
First responders arrived shortly after witnesses dialed 911. Officers found Lonnie deceased inside the vehicle. His wife, who was riding in the passenger seat, was completely uninjured.
Detectives spent hours at the crash site collecting evidence and looking for details about the missing semi-truck. The commercial driver continued down the road after the concrete fell, and police are working to determine if the driver even realized what happened.
Unsecured loads on commercial trucks continue to pose a major danger on busy Texas roads. State traffic officials frequently warn truckers that failing to strap down heavy cargo can lead to fatal high-speed collisions.
Investigators are calling on the community for assistance. They are asking anyone who drove near Fritch Highway around 3:00 p.m. on Thursday to check their vehicle dashcams or report any trucks carrying concrete blocks.
While the hit-and-run investigation continues, Lonnie’s family is making arrangements and coming to terms with the loss. Authorities say identifying the truck and bringing clarity to the family remains their top goal.
Leave a Reply