Ronald Simpkins killed in collision on US 287

Ronald Shane Simpkins, 43, of Childress, dies in collision with oncoming traffic on US 287.

According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Kelly Hill, Simpkins was traveling eastbound on US 287 through a construction zone. The second vehicle was a double-trailer semi-truck driven by Calvin Wayne Renfro, 43, of Irving, and was traveling westbound. A third vehicle was at a full stop in a lane of traffic in the construction zone.

Using the same maneuver to avoid collision with the stopped vehicle, both Williams and Renfro swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid hitting the third vehicle, which resulted in both Simpkins and the second vehicle colliding, hitting Simpkins truck on the drivers side. Simpkins was pronounced dead at the scene. 52-year-old Kieth Williams, of Waco,was the passenger of Renfro’s semi and was taken to an Amarillo hospital with serious injuries.

After the collision, the vehicles ended in a full stop near the railroad crossing of Bailey Street in Hedley.

It appears that Renfro’s choice of action to avoid the accident was incorrect. This would be the third fatality in the construction zone since construction began.

TxDOT has decided to close the intersection for the safety of the public after the fatal collision. There are alternate routes available to access US 287. Detours have been set up in either direction, as well as additional routes for those coming from Memphis.

The accident is still under investigation, but it is not suspected that either driver was under the influence at the time of the incident.