VIDEO: Upton County Sheriff's Deputy Killed In Head-On Crash
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: June 8, 2012
UPTON COUNTY -- A crash along TX 349 has claimed the life of an Upton County Sheriff's deputy.
The crash happened about 12 miles north of Rankin on TX 349 around 8:30 AM Friday.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers tell Big 2 that the driver of an 18-wheeler belonging to J & S Electric was heading south on TX 349 when the big rig drifted into the northbound lane.
The 18-wheeler smashed directly into an oncoming vehicle driven by Upton County Sheriff's deputy Mike Smith.
Smith, 44, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin has been notified.
Upton County Sheriff Dan Brown tells Big 2 that Smith was heading to an oil tank battery fire
The driver of the 18-wheeler was taken to Midland Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His name has not been released.
Fellow Upton County Sheriff's deputies have described Smith as a "gentle man." He had been working for the Upton County Sheriff's Department for 2 years before the fatal crash.
TXDOT crews closed TX 349 between F.M. 2401 and F.M. 1555 Friday morning. The road reopened around 3:30 PM Friday.
D.P.S. troopers continued to investigate the crash Friday afternoon.
Troopers haven't said if the driver of the 18-wheeler will face any citations for the crash.
The crash happened about 12 miles north of Rankin on TX 349 around 8:30 AM Friday.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers tell Big 2 that the driver of an 18-wheeler belonging to J & S Electric was heading south on TX 349 when the big rig drifted into the northbound lane.
The 18-wheeler smashed directly into an oncoming vehicle driven by Upton County Sheriff's deputy Mike Smith.
Smith, 44, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin has been notified.
Upton County Sheriff Dan Brown tells Big 2 that Smith was heading to an oil tank battery fire
The driver of the 18-wheeler was taken to Midland Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His name has not been released.
Fellow Upton County Sheriff's deputies have described Smith as a "gentle man." He had been working for the Upton County Sheriff's Department for 2 years before the fatal crash.
TXDOT crews closed TX 349 between F.M. 2401 and F.M. 1555 Friday morning. The road reopened around 3:30 PM Friday.
D.P.S. troopers continued to investigate the crash Friday afternoon.
Troopers haven't said if the driver of the 18-wheeler will face any citations for the crash.
