Hedley man dies while crossing highway

Cecil Claud “Jack” Nivens was killed Tuesday morning in Hedley as he crossed US 287 on his way to the coffee shop. He was 84 years old.

Nivens was on foot when he was struck by an Affiliated Foods semi-truck in the southbound lane of the highway at approximately 5:50 a.m., according to DPS Trooper Chris Ward.

Justice of the Peace Ann Kennedy pronounced Nivens dead at 6:38 a.m.

Truck driver Matthew Brian Snead of Amarillo did not see Nivens until it was too late, Ward said. The driver told the trooper he just wasn’t looking for someone to be crossing the highway that early in the morning.

Ward said it did not appear Snead was speeding at the time of the accident, and no citation had been issued as of press time. An investigation will take about one week to complete.

Nivens was a longtime resident of Hedley and reportedly grew up in the area.