Two Dead in Head On Crash

HAWLEY, TX – Two people were killed on Thursday morning on a highway crash in the Big Country.

According to the DPS, on May 18, 2023 at around 4:39 a.m., Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers were dispatched to US Highway 83, three miles north of Hawley, for the report of a major crash.

When the troopers arrived, them and other first responders discovered a 2010 Chevrolet Impala and a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro that had crashed in the middle of the highway.

Crews immediately went to help those who were injured. The two people who in the Camaro were rushed to Hendricks Medical Center. One was in critical condition with incapacitating injuries. The driver of the Camaro was pronounced dead at the hospital at 6:54 a.m. He has been identified Odell Griggs Jr., 39, of Stamford. Both of the passengers in the Camaro was wearing a seatbelt.

The driver in the Impala, Kyle Stephenson, 64, of Abilene, died from his injuries in the crash. He was pronounced dead on scene at 5:58 a.m. by Justice of the Peace Tyler Pope. Stephenson was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The trooper's investigation revealed that the Impala was traveling north at the 312 mile post on U.S. Highway (US) 83 in the southbound lanes. The Camaro was traveling south on US 83. The Impala crashed head on into the Camera in the left lane of the southbound lanes.

At the time of the crash the weather was clear and the road was dry. The speed limit at this section of highway is posted at 75 mph.