Texas crash leaves one dead and another injured in Motley County—
MOTLEY COUNTY, Texas — A crash on US 70 claimed the life of a 71-year-old man and left a 25-year-old woman seriously injured, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The incident occurred approximately 1.3 miles south of FM 684 on January 11, 2026, at 8:40 p.m.
The collision involved a 1996 Chevrolet S-10 pickup, driven by Richard Piper, age 71, of Roaring Springs, Texas, and a 2001 Lexus passenger car, driven by Joclynne Clarkston-Smith, age 25, of Seminole, Texas. Piper, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Crosbyton Clinic Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased due to injuries sustained in the crash. Clarkston-Smith, also wearing a seatbelt, was taken to Lockney Hospital with serious injuries.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Piper’s vehicle was stopped in the northbound lane of US 70 with its head and tail lamps off. Clarkston-Smith’s vehicle, traveling north, crested a hill and collided with Piper’s vehicle from the rear, stated the Texas Department of Public Safety.
