Three Dead in Fiery Accident That Shuts Down US 82

An accident on US 82/277 near Mankins has traffic stopped in both directions.

Authorities say that three vehicles, all pickup trucks, were involved.

Newschannel 6 is reporting that a truck headed east on Highway 82 crossed into oncoming traffic and sideswiped a trailer being pulled by a truck causing the truck to spin around and hit another truck head on.

One of the trucks was on fire when emergency personnel arrived, and the other was in a ditch.

45 year-old Adalberto Chopa of Fort Worth, 17 year-old Lacy Mullins and 23 year-old Cody Goss of Maud, Oklahoma were all pronounced dead at the scene.  A 31 year-old female, identified only as a Mexican national, was flown to United Regional Hospital where she is reported to be in critical condition.  The driver and passenger of a third truck involved in the crash (which was struck first by the truck driven by Chopa) escaped serious injury.