25-year-old Dalhart man killed in 2-vehicle crash, rollover in Hartley County

The Texas Department of Public Safety released information about a fatal 2-vehicle accident, which took place in Hartley County near Dalhart early Thursday. 

According to a news release, at approximately 4:45 a.m., a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Devon Riddell, 25, of Dalhart, was traveling southwest on US 54 about 3.5 miles from Dalhart. At this time, a 2018 General Motors Box Van driven by Vasile Veverita, 62, of Rochester, New York, was traveling northeast on the roadway.

For unknown reasons, the pickup crossed over the center stripe into oncoming traffic. The box truck moved over to the right shoulder to try and avoid the crash, but Veverita was not able to avoid the collision. The pickup struck the box truck, passenger headlight to passenger headlight, the news release stated.

The Ram then traveled off the roadway and into the ditch, where it rolled over multiple times. Riddell, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected during the crash. 

Riddell died at the scene. He was pronounced deceased by Hartley County Justice of the Peace Beth Moore.

Veverita was taken to the hospital in Dalhart, where she was treated and released. She was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. 

The posted speed limit was 75 mph, and road conditions were dry and clear. The crash remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol Troopers.