Tammie Atkinson, 59, of Big Spring was pronounced dead at the scene of a one-vehicle crash approximately a half-mile from the Big Spring city limits on State Highway 350 shortly after 5:40 a.m. this morning, according to Department of Public Safety Sgt. Thomas Moore.

“The trooper investigating the crash determined the cause was unsafe speed on an icy roadway,” said Moore. “The vehicle went into a side skid and slammed into a culvert and rolled a couple of times. She was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Moore said Atkinson, who was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt at the time of the wreck, was not wearing her seatbelt.

Howard County Sheriff Stan Parker confirmed icy roads could have played a role in the accident.

“The weather could have certainly contributed to the accident. We've seen a lot of ice on the roads in the eastern and northern portions of the county this morning,” said Parker. “We've been called to four other accidents this morning as well, but fortunately there haven't been any serious injuries reported as a result of them.”

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it