Lubbock Police on Wednesday publicly identified the driver in a deadly crash as James Churchwell, 68. Police said Churchwell was involved in a crash on the night of December 7 and died on the following Monday at University Medical Center.
A police report said Churchwell was driving a pickup truck along 82nd Street. The police report said two people witnessed the truck fishtail, lose control and hit a utility pole at University Avenue.
On Wednesday police said alcohol does not appear to be a factor. During the time in question, a winter storm was approaching, but snow had not yet started. It had been raining at the time of the crash.
At the time of the crash, police believed the injuries were serious but not life-threatening.
The following is a press release from Lubbock Police:
Lubbock Police were called to the intersection of 82nd and University around 10:25 p.m., Friday December 7th, following reports of a crash.
Upon arrival, officers located a male victim, 68-year-old James Churchwell, who was transported to UMC with serious injuries. Churchwell was pronounced deceased the evening of Monday, December 10th.
Through the initial course of the investigation, it appears Churchwell, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was traveling east bound in the right hand lane of the 2500 block of 82nd street when the pick-up left the roadway and struck a light pole. After striking the light pole, the truck continued to travel and was then struck by a passing pick-up, which was also traveling in the east bound lanes. The driver of that vehicle was not injured.
An investigation into what may have caused the crash is on-going.
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