Temple Man Charged with Manslaughter after Fatal Crash

A Temple man is being held in Milam County Jail on $1 million bond after police say he struck and killed a pedestrian during a high-speed pursuit in Buckholts Sunday.

The chase began in Caldwell when police attempted to stop 25-year-old John Fitzgerald Page Jr., a suspect in a domestic disturbance reported around 7:30 p.m. Page sped away in a 2015 Toyota Camry and led police on a 38-mile chase from Caldwell to Buckholts at speeds in excess of 120 mph.

The chase ended when Page lost control of his car while trying to pass several vehicles on State Highway 36 near FM 1519. As his car slid into a grass median, he struck and killed 71-year-old Guadalupe Rodriguez, who was walking along the highway.

Tragically, Rodriguez died at the same intersection where his wife was struck and killed while walking four years ago. He was the father of Buckholts Fire Chief Robert Rodriguez.

Page was arrested at the scene and now faces charges of manslaughter and evading arrest and detention with a motor vehicle. A 25-year-old female passenger from Troy was questioned and later released.