KILGORE, Texas — New details have been released in a fatal early morning crash involving a pedestrian and a patrol vehicle, with multiple agencies now leading an extensive investigation.
According to the Kilgore Police Department, the incident began at approximately 1:26 a.m. April 18 when an automatic crash detection feature on a smartphone triggered a 911 call. The device transmitted GPS coordinates to dispatch, and telecommunicators could hear labored breathing from an unresponsive individual during the call.
Officers were immediately dispatched to the location.
A preliminary report from the Texas Department of Public Safety states a marked Kilgore police unit was responding to a separate crash on State Highway 135 when it encountered a pedestrian lying in the northbound lane.
The pedestrian, later identified as 21-year-old Anthony Merritt, had reportedly fallen from the bed of a pickup truck prior to the crash. Investigators said Merritt was wearing dark clothing without reflective material, making him difficult to see in the roadway.
According to DPS, the officer did not observe Merritt until the last second and attempted to avoid him by swerving left, but the vehicle struck Merritt with its undercarriage. The patrol unit then turned around and stopped.
Merritt was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is pending.
While investigators were still working the crash scene more than an hour later, a man approached officers stating he was searching for his friend. That individual was later confirmed to be Merritt.
Investigators determined the man had been driving Merritt’s pickup truck and had parked it a short distance away before returning on foot. He told officers Merritt had been riding in the bed of the truck and that he realized Merritt was missing while driving toward Whitehouse.
During the interaction, officers observed signs of possible intoxication and initiated a DWI investigation. The driver agreed to field sobriety testing and voluntarily provided a blood sample. He was not arrested at the scene, and authorities are awaiting toxicology results.
Kilgore Police Chief Todd Hunter said the department requested DPS to take the lead on the crash investigation in the interest of transparency due to the involvement of a police vehicle.
A specialized DPS team responded, and the investigation now also includes assistance from the Texas Rangers and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Authorities said Merritt had reportedly been at a bar earlier in the evening and had been drinking prior to the incident, according to preliminary findings.
Officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and will examine all factors, including the circumstances leading to Merritt being in the roadway, the actions of the driver of the pickup truck, and the involvement of the patrol vehicle.
Chief Hunter said Merritt’s family was notified at the scene and has been kept informed throughout the process. At the family’s request, the department initially withheld public release of the information. The decision to release details came after media inquiries, and only after further consultation with the family.
Kilgore Police said no additional information will be released until the investigation, which is being directed by DPS and the Texas Rangers, is complete.
