HARTLEY COUNTY, TX (October 22, 2025) — Four women lost their lives Wednesday afternoon when a semi-truck rear-ended their car on U.S. Highway 87 in Hartley County. The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the deadly collision, which occurred after the victims’ vehicle experienced a flat tire.
Accident Details: The crash happened around 1:40 p.m., about ten miles south of Dalhart. Authorities said a 2020 Nissan Altima carrying four women was traveling slowly in the southbound lane due to a flat tire. At the same time, a 2020 Peterbilt truck tractor towing a semi-trailer was heading in the same direction when it failed to reduce speed and struck the Nissan from behind.
The impact was severe, crushing the rear of the car and pushing it off the highway. Emergency responders pronounced all four occupants dead at the scene. The victims were identified as 20-year-old Myunique Johnson, 18-year-old Lakeisha Brown, 31-year-old Breanna Brantley, and 28-year-old Taylor White, all residents of Texas.
The driver of the semi-truck was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Texas DPS reported that weather conditions were clear at the time, and investigators are working to determine why the truck failed to slow down.
The crash prompted a full closure of the southbound lanes of U.S. 87 for several hours while crews cleared debris and investigators documented the scene. Traffic was diverted through nearby farm roads.
Investigation: Texas DPS troopers are reviewing skid marks, vehicle data, and roadway evidence to reconstruct the moments leading up to the collision. They are also inspecting the truck’s brake system and analyzing data from its electronic control module to determine the driver’s speed and braking response.
Investigators have not yet confirmed whether fatigue, distraction, or mechanical failure contributed to the crash. Once the investigation concludes, findings will be submitted to the district attorney’s office for review.
Legal Considerations: Fatal truck crashes on rural highways such as U.S. 87 frequently lead to detailed investigations into driver behavior and equipment maintenance. Federal trucking regulations require operators to maintain safe following distances and remain alert for slower-moving or disabled vehicles.
When collisions of this scale occur, liability assessments can involve both the driver and the trucking company, depending on compliance with safety and maintenance standards. Findings from this case may influence future safety reviews of commercial routes through Hartley County.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families of Myunique Johnson, Lakeisha Brown, Breanna Brantley, and Taylor White.
Source: MyHighPlains