Lubbock man dies in Castro County crash on US 385 Thursday

A Lubbock resident died in a crash involving two pickups towing trailers in Castro County Thursday afternoon.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), at about 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, a 2021 GMC Sierra pickup truck towing a trailer was northbound on US 385 about 8.7 miles north of Dimmitt while a 2016 Ford F450 pickup truck towing a trailer was heading southbound. DPS said for an unknown reason, the Ford and its towed trailer traveled into the northbound lane and side-swiped the GMC and its towed trailer.

The GMC and its towed trailer ended up jack-knifed in the northbound lane, while the Ford and its towed trailer came to a final rest in the ditch west of the roadway, according to DPS. Both drivers were wearing seat belts.

The driver of the Ford pickup, identified as Russell Smallwood, 61, of Lubbock, was pronounced dead at the scene by Castro County Justice of the Peace Mary Ewing.

The GMC's driver was not injured.

The posted speed limit was 75 mph, and road conditions were dry and clear at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Lubbock man dies after crash involving 2 pickups near Dimmitt