A 27-year-old driver was arrested early Saturday morning in Arlington, Texas, on suspicion of causing a fatal crash while driving under the influence and attempting to flee the scene.
The tragic accident occurred at around 1:10 a.m. in the 2700 block of North Collins Street, near Green Oaks Boulevard, involving a pickup truck and a motorcycle, according to Arlington police.
When officers arrived, they found the motorcyclist, a 55-year-old man, lying unresponsive in the street. The victim, later identified as Richard Wing by the Tarrant County medical examiner, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Wing, who was riding a Harley Davidson, was traveling in the southbound lanes and had moved into the center turn lane before the collision. According to witnesses, the driver of a Chevy Silverado, identified as Thomas Kelly Jr., was weaving erratically in and out of traffic while heading northbound on North Collins Street.
As Kelly swerved into the center turn lane, his vehicle struck Wing, causing the fatal impact. Witnesses reported that Kelly then exited his truck, retrieved cans from his vehicle, and discarded them in a nearby field before attempting to flee the scene on foot.
However, one vigilant witness pursued and apprehended Kelly, detaining him until law enforcement arrived. Officers on the scene observed signs of intoxication in Kelly, who refused to undergo a field sobriety test.
Their suspicions were corroborated by statements from witnesses, Kelly’s own remarks, and the recovery of beer cans from the area where he had been seen discarding trash.
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Based on this evidence, Kelly was arrested and charged with three offenses: intoxication manslaughter, collision involving death, and tampering with evidence.
In addition to these charges, jail records revealed that Kelly is also facing an unrelated charge of assaulting a household member with a prior conviction. This prior charge adds to the gravity of his legal situation as authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Arlington police release described the devastating events in detail, emphasizing the reckless behavior exhibited by Kelly. Intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony in Texas, carries severe penalties, including a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years, significant fines, and other legal repercussions.
The tampering charge, linked to Kelly’s attempt to dispose of evidence, further compounds his potential sentence. Richard Wing’s death underscores the dangers posed by impaired driving.
Wing’s family and friends are undoubtedly grappling with the profound loss, as his life was tragically cut short by preventable actions. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of responsible driving and the irreversible consequences of operating a vehicle while under the influence.
As of Sunday afternoon, Kelly remained in custody at the Tarrant County jail, awaiting the determination of bond. His actions not only resulted in the loss of a life but have also left his future shrouded in uncertainty due to the gravity of the charges he faces.
The Arlington police extended their gratitude to the witness who apprehended Kelly, preventing his escape and ensuring accountability.
The department also reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice for victims of impaired driving, highlighting the ongoing efforts to curb such behavior through enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
