Oklahoma man dies in Wheeler County I

Authorities said a man died after his pickup truck struck a parked semi Tuesday night on Interstate 40 in Wheeler County.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), at about 11:55 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, a 2009 Dodge 3500 Pickup truck towing a flatbed trailer was traveling eastbound on I-40 in the right lane, about 11 miles east of Shamrock. At this time, a 2018 Freightliner truck tractor towing a semi-trailer was legally parked on the improved shoulder.

The driver of the pickup failed to drive in a single lane, traveled onto the improved shoulder, and struck the left rear end of the semi-trailer, DPS said. The pickup came to rest in the south ditch facing southeast. The semi came to rest on the improved shoulder.

The driver of the pickup truck, identified as Russell Mullican, 59, of New Castle, Oklahoma, was pronounced dead at the scene by Wheeler County Justice of the Peace Rick Walden.

The driver of the semi, Cyrus Jackson, 35, of Houston, was not injured.

The posted speed limit was 75 mph, and road conditions were dry and clear. Both drivers were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol Troopers.