Clovis woman killed in two-vehicle collision

Freedom New Mexico

A 38-year-old Clovis woman was killed early Friday morning in a crash north of Hereford.

Tina Howell was killed around 3 a.m. (CDT) when a tractor trailer she was driving crashed into another on Highway 385 about 3 miles outside of Hereford, according to Texas Highway Patrol Communications Operator Carolyn Wakefield.

Omar Wharton, the driver of the other tractor trailer, was injured and was treated at Hereford General Hospital and released, Wakefield said.

Wakefield said Howell’s truck, a 2009 Freightliner, crossed the center line and collided with Wharton’s 2007 Peterbuilt.

Howell was thrown from her truck, which caught fire and burned, Wakefield said.

Howell was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wakefield said the weather was reported as clear and dry at the time of the crash.

Deaf Smith County Sheriff Brent Harrison said the road was closed and traffic diverted for some time as responders worked to extinguish the burning truck and investigate the crash.

Attempts to reach Howell’s family for comment were unsuccessful.