Dateline: December 13, 2007

Two trucks hit black ice   

Two separate but related accidents hindered traffic for about four hours on US 287 between Hedley and Lelia Lake Sunday morning.

Department of Public Safety Trooper Chris Ward said a semi-truck driven by 45-year-old Gabriel Navarrete of Tucson, Ariz., was southbound when he hit a patch of black ice about one-half mile east of CR 20. The truck slid across the center median, went through the northbound lanes and into the north ditch, took out an AEP power pole and transformer, and came to rest on the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad tracks. In the process, Navarrete’s trailer split open, spilling its contents of Coors beer.

Another trucker, 47-year-old Owen Fain of Stephenville, was also southbound and saw the first accident. He pulled over on the shoulder and legally parked his truck when a third truck hit the same black ice and lost control.

Rafael Olivas, age 50, of Weslaco, was behind the wheel of the semi carrying thick plastic sheeting, which jackknifed, hit Fain’s truck, and went into the center median while still blocking the southbound lanes.

No injuries were reported with the accidents.