MONTAGUE COUNTY, TEXAS — An Amarillo truck driver died early Saturday morning after encountering a herd of cattle on a Texas highway, causing his semi truck and tandem trailers to overturn and slide into a roadside ditch.

At approximately 4:35 a.m. on February 28, 2026, Danny Ray Lovelady, 59, was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 82 east of Nocona when he came upon a herd of cattle on the roadway. Lovelady attempted evasive action but struck three cows. The 2024 International truck-tractor, which was towing a 2016 Great Dane semi-trailer and a 2026 Great Dane semi-trailer in tandem, went into a side skid, rolled onto its left side, slid into the north barrow ditch, and struck a barbed wire fence.

Lovelady was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

The crash remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol. No additional information has been released.

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