Temple Police, Texas Rangers Investigating After Man Was Struck By Car While Reportedly Fleeing Officers

A incident involving a subject evading officers and being hit by a vehicle is being investigated by both the Temple, Texas Police Department and Texas Rangers.

Temple PD Communications and Public Relations Manager Kiara Nowlin reports that at 7:48 AM on June 15, 2022, officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Allegiance Bend after a caller reported suspicious behavior. They told police that a man described as African-American and waring an orange shirt was lurking around a home with teenagers inside.

Officers arrived and made contact with the man, then proceeded to run a computer check which revealed the unnamed subject had a warrant for misdemeanor theft. Officers then tried to speak to the man again, but at 8:03 AM, officers radioed that the man had made a run for it into a wooded area.

Get our free mobile app

Nowlin reports that officers did not attempt to pursue the man, instead setting up a perimeter and bringing in a a K-9 unit to help find him.

At 8:44 AM, the man was spotted walking northbound on the southbound side of Interstate 35 along the shoulder of the inside center divide. An officer stepped out of their vehicle and reportedly pointed a taser at the man, but didn't fire it. Police say the man then fled west into southbound lanes of traffic and was hit by a vehicle.

The officer called for paramedics and started CPR on the man, who was later taken to a hospital. Unfortunately, the man passed away from his injuries.

According to Nowlin, the incident doesn't fall under the definition of an in-custody death under Texas law.

Per Nowlin:

Under 49.18 (d)(2) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, a person is considered to be “in the custody of a peace officer” when they are:

Under arrest by a peace officer; or
Under the physical control or restraint of a peace officer

The Temple Police Department and Texas Rangers are currently investigating the incident in question and asking anyone who may have seen something or has information to call either the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Texas Rangers at 254-247-0849.

This is a developing story and will be updated with new details when they become available.