Dateline: June 23, 2005

Accident claims life of local farmer

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

A Donley County farmer and rancher died Friday when the pickup he was driving was hit by a tractor-trailer rig.

Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Simpson said Robert Pittman, age 81, died at the scene 3.5 miles west of Clarendon on US 287 despite efforts by at least four motorists to save him.

Pittman’s Chevy pickup was traveling westbound in the outside lane of 287 in front of the tractor-trailer driven by Darie Monday of Tulsa, Okla., when Pittman’s vehicle was struck from behind. The pickup slid sideways and flipped over, coming to rest on its wheels in the north ditch and catching on fire.

An investigation is ongoing, but Simpson said speed did not seem to be a factor in the accident.

No citations or charges have been issued, but the case will be presented to the Donley County Grand Jury.

Pittman was a resident of Amarillo at the time of the accident but had had ties to Donley County since 1925.

Funeral services were held for Pittman in Clarendon Tuesday.