Ryan Lane Simpson, 21, died Thursday afternoon following a heavy two-vehicle crash along U.S. Highway 287 in Potter County, Texas.
The collision happened around 3:13 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. 287 North and Farm to Market Road 1912. Simpson was driving his 2024 Ford F-150 pickup westbound along the highway when the fatal incident occurred.
At the same time, 47-year-old Juan Carlos Sanchez of Amarillo was driving a 2020 Freightliner rig towing a large semi-trailer near the same junction.
According to state investigators, Sanchez tried to drive across the northbound lanes of U.S. 287 from FM 1912 to turn onto U.S. 287 South. That maneuver pulled the semi-trailer directly into the path of oncoming traffic.
Simpson was unable to avoid the big rig, and his Ford pickup struck the semi-trailer in the middle of the road. The heavy impact destroyed the pickup and left Simpson with fatal injuries.
First responders arrived at the scene shortly after 3:00 p.m., but Simpson was pronounced dead right at the location. Sanchez was evaluated by medical personnel and was not injured.
The loss has left the Amarillo community grieving for the 21-year-old whose life ended in a matter of seconds. Texas Highway Patrol officers remain at work investigating all factors surrounding the fatal wreck.
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