Lightning struck a moving truck Tuesday morning on U.S. 277, halting traffic both ways.
© Christoper Collins/Times Record NewsLightning struck a moving truck Tuesday morning on U.S. 277, halting traffic both ways.
Traffic came to a halt on U.S. 277 outside of Wichita Falls on Tuesday morning after lightning struck a moving pickup, according to an official at the Archer County Sheriff's Office.

The late-model Dodge truck was traveling north though a thunderstorm about 30 miles south of Wichita Falls when a lightning bolt shattered the front windshield and set the dashboard on fire, said Simon Dwyer, chief deputy at the sheriff's office.

The driver, unharmed, came to a stop and escaped before the entire truck went up in flames, sending thick plumes of oily smoke into the air.

"That's nothing I've ever seen or heard of," Dwyer said.

At about 8:30 a.m., first responders shut down traffic both ways on the highway while they fought the flames. The fire was out and traffic began moving again about 9:30 a.m.. though first responders didn't clear the scene until 11 a.m.

The Archer County Sheriff's Office, the Lake Kickapoo Fire Department, the Bowman Fire Department and the Holliday Fire Department responded to the call.