Two dead after Friday afternoon collision near Shallowater
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a two-vehicle crash that killed two people Friday afternoon near Shallowater, Lubbock County authorities said.
State troopers were called about 4 p.m. to the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 179 and FM 2641, where a 2011 Toyota Camry and a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck collided, according to a DPS news release.
The driver of the pickup was identified as 87-year-old Burl Trotter. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Camry, identified as 19-year-old Sammy Zapata, was transported by ambulance to University Medical Center, where he later died, the release said.
- Crash time: about 4 p.m. Friday
- Location: intersection of FM 179 and FM 2641, south of Shallowater in Lubbock County
- Vehicles involved: 2011 Toyota Camry and 2022 Dodge Ram pickup
According to DPS, a preliminary investigation found the Camry was traveling eastbound on FM 2641 and approached a stop sign at the intersection with FM 179. The Camry continued through the intersection and struck the driver's side of the pickup.
"The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash," the DPS release said.
Local context and consequences
Rural intersections like the one at FM 179 and FM 2641 often carry high-speed traffic and limited sight lines. Crashes at these junctions can result in severe outcomes because of the speeds involved and the types of vehicles on county roads. The deaths of two people in this collision underscore ongoing concerns about safety on Farm-to-Market roads in Lubbock County and across Texas.
Investigations by DPS will determine contributing factors such as right-of-way, speed and possible driver error. The agency's findings will be important for local planners and law enforcement as they evaluate whether additional signage, signalization, or enforcement efforts are needed at this intersection and others like it in the county.
What happens next
DPS will continue its investigation and release further details as they become available. Any changes to traffic control or safety measures at the site would involve coordination between state troopers, Lubbock County officials and transportation planners.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday (reported July 11, 2026) |
| Time | About 4 p.m. |
| Location | FM 179 & FM 2641, south of Shallowater |
| Fatalities | Burl Trotter, 87; Sammy Zapata, 19 |
Officials ask anyone with information about the collision to contact DPS. The findings will feed into broader road-safety efforts in Lubbock County and across the state as authorities work to reduce severe crashes on rural highways.
