NAVASOTA MAN CHARGED IN FATAL HIT-AND-RUN IN MONTGOMERY CO.
A Navasota man was arrested after an extensive investigation into a fatal hit-and-run earlier this month in Montgomery County.
(Montgomery Co. Jail)
36-year-old Matthew Brian Davis was taken into custody last week by DPS Troopers for fleeing the scene of an accident on November 5th that resulted in the death of 67-year-old Gary Lee Frank of Montgomery.
According to DPS, Davis, who is a logger, pulled away from a stop sign on Mt. Mariah Road and turned west onto Highway 105. DPS says Davis failed to yield to a 1998 Ford F-150 driven by Frank, who was eastbound on Highway 105. Frank slammed into the back of Davis’ 18-wheeler, nearly slicing completely through the pickup truck. Davis did not stop after the accident and continued west on Highway 105, while Frank was pronounced dead at the scene.
After several days of reviewing video footage, DPS issued a press release with images of the tractor-trailer. A Grimes County Sheriff’s deputy was able to identify the truck as he had seen it in his patrol area, and there was also a Crime Stoppers tip that provided information.
Troopers found the truck at 4977 Tall Pine Road in Navasota. At the property, Davis told Troopers he was the only one who drives the vehicle and that he drove it for a logging operation on the day of the crash, but claimed he had no knowledge of the crash. However, a Trooper located a lowboy trailer near the truck and spotted fresh white paint on the left side of the trailer, which was otherwise black in color.
The Trooper also moved a piece of wood that was leaning against the tires and saw the front left axle tire was shredded, with severe damage done to the wheel. There was also extensive damage under the trailer and a missing triangular anchor with weld marks that matched the one found at the scene. Davis continued to deny his involvement in the crash, but could not explain the different paint colors on the trailer.
Davis was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, but was transferred to the hospital for a medical condition before being returned to the jail. He is charged with Failure to Stop and Render Aid-Accident Involving Death, a second degree felony. Bond is set at $50,000.