Two New Mexico residents killed in crash Monday on Interstate 20 in Abilene

Two people were killed and a third person seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash late Monday afternoon on Interstate 20, the second fatal wreck in Abilene within 24 hours.

Just after 4 p.m., a semi-tractor-trailer westbound near the East Highway 80 entrance left the road, crossed the center median and struck an eastbound pickup, Abilene police said in a news release. 

Pickup driver William Clarence Dixon Jr., 65, and his passenger Lori Dianne Courtney, 57, both of Las Cruces, New Mexico, were pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Sparky Dean. 

Semi-tractor-trailer driver Freddie Brown Jr., 43, of Chicago was in critical condition at an Abilene hospital as of Monday evening, Abilene police said. 

Police continue to investigate the crash. 

The week started with a fatal crash at about 5:20 p.m. Sunday when a southbound pickup entering U.S. Highways 83/84 prior to Antilley Road left the road and hit a concrete barrier. The driver died at the scene.  

Monday's two deaths bring the total number of Abilene's traffic fatalities in 2022 to 14, well outpacing the 16 total in 2021.

Abilene police's traffic division is taking a "deep dive into the crashes to see if there is anything we can glean from them to message our citizens to be careful," Abilene police spokesman Rick Tomlin said in a statement. 

Police are urging drivers "to be cautious, drive defensively, stay off of electronic devices and get plenty of rest before traveling extensively," Tomlin said. 

More:Abilene man killed in one-vehicle crash Sunday, sixth traffic fatality in two weeks