A truck driver killed Thursday morning on U.S. 287 in Wise County when he was ejected from his vehicle as it collided with another truck has been identified as Antonio Garcia Jr. of Rhome, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
After being thrown out, the 48-year-old man was hit by at least three other vehicles including a semi-truck, DPS reports state.The fatal wreck occurred shortly after 4:30 a.m. Thursday on U.S. 287 at Ramhorn Hill Road near Rhome in Wise County.Garcia's rock-hauling truck was southbound on U.S. 287 when it collided with another truck, which was crossing the highway eastbound, according to the DPS reports.Garcia was thrown out of his vehicle on impact, DPS Trooper Lonny Haschel said in an e-mail.A pickup that had been behind Garcia's truck then hit Garcia. After hitting the victim, the pickup driver lost control of his truck, crossed the center median and northbound lanes of U.S. 287 and overturned in a ditch. Garcia was then hit by two other vehicles.The pickup driver was taken to Wise Regional Health System in Decatur with non-life-threatening injuries, DPS reports state.The driverless rock hauler continued south on U.S. 287 for several yards where it crossed the center median, the northbound lanes of the highway and came to rest on the eastside of the highway before it burst into flames, the DPS reports state.The wreck prompted authorities to close various lanes of the highway on Thursday to investigate.Domingo Ramirez Jr., 817-390-7763Twitter: @mingoramirezjrHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
