Copperas Cove Police Investigating Crash Involving Pedestrian Death
A traffic crash in Copperas Cove, Texas that occurred Thursday morning claimed the life of a senior citizen.
Lt. Krystal Baker with the Copperas Cove Police reports that officers and fire department crews were called to the 2700 block of East Business 190 around 11:53 AM after receiving a report about a vehicle having hit a pedestrian.
An initial investigation revealed that a 2016 Jeep Liberty had been traveling east on East Business Highway 190 when it struck a 63-year-old man who was walking north across the roadway.
The man who was hit, later identified as Sergio Valencia-Manzo, was taken to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center suffering severe injuries as a result of the collision.
Sadly, Lt. Baker reports that Valencia-Manzo was pronounced dead at 12:25 by Bell County Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke.
The crash remained under investigation Thursday afternoon. Police did not comment on whether or not the driver had been charged with any crime or if they were distraced.
That said, and I would hope this goes without saying, you've got be vigilant while driving and not get distracted by things like your phone. Taking your eyes off the road for even a split second can lead to disaster. You can't always count on pedestrians looking both ways, obeying crosswalk rules, or making it across the street safetly.
When you get behind the wheel, you're not only responsible for your life, but for that of anyone you may cross paths with. It's just the price of having the license.
Drive safe out there, Central Texas.