56 year old Billy Don Kendrick, Jr., of Grapeland ponders his situation after he allegedly ran a red light and struck and killed a man.
Pedestrian Struck and Killed by 18 Wheeler, CORRIGAN, October 31, 2014 - At approximately 12:15 pm on October 31, 2014, a Kenworth 18 wheeler driven by Billy Don Kendrick, Jr, 56, of Grapeland, was north-bound on US-59. Kendrick came to a red light on 59 and FM-287. According to witnesses, a pedestrian (Alvin Fred McQueen, 65, of Camden) attempted to cross the street from the south-bound side of 59 to the north-bound side. As McQueen was walking across the north-bound side, he was struck by the 18 wheeler. Kendrick apparently didn't notice McQueen and attempted to make a left turn and get a jump on the south-bound traffic. The witnesses say that Kendrick tried to make a left while the light was still red and struck McQueen in the process. The witnesses also said that Kendrick just kept going until witnesses got him to stop. Kendrick stated that he never saw McQueen and didn't know that he had hit him. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Corrigan Volunteer Fire Department, Deputies Terri Mayer, Corporal Terry White, and Detective Byron Dunaway (all with the Sheriff's Office) and Officers Erik Bolton, Chief Darrell Gibson, and Sergeant Thomas Moye (all with Corrigan Police Department). McQueen was loaded into an ambulance, PHi Air Medical was summoned, but sadly, was waved off as McQueen passed away at the scene. He was transported to CHI St. Luke's Hospital in Livingston. Billy Don Kendrick was detained by police, and, in accordance with proper protocol with a fatal accident, Kendrick was driven to CHI St. Luke's for a mandatory blood withdrawal and later released. Kendrick may be facing multiple charges for the accident, however, the accident remains under investigation by Corrigan PD.
Officer Erik Bolton (right) with Corrigan PD is the accident investigator. Bolton is speaking with Corrigan Police Chief, Darrell Gibson.
McQueen was struck by this 18 wheeler. The rig pulled into an adjoining parking lot of 59 and 287.
Officers with Corrigan PD speak with Kendrick.
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