By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
A two-vehicle crash around 10 p.m. Tuesday just west of the SH 105 and FM 2518 intersection resulted in the death of a 37-year-old Cleveland man, authorities say.
Dustin Foster was riding his motorcycle eastbound on SH 105 when a Dodge 3/4-ton pickup truck driven by Phillip Latchie, 31, of Cleveland, pulled out of a private driveway and merged into traffic. Foster’s motorcycle crashed into the back of the pickup truck.
Troopers are investigating whether the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed, or if the driver of the truck misjudged the distance between the two vehicles or failed to see the motorcycle, or a combination of both situations, said Sgt. Rob Willoughby with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Foster was pronounced dead at the scene by Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace Wade Brown. Latchie was uninjured.
Foster was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The bike was still bearing temporary tags, suggesting the motorcycle was a recent purchase.
Assisting at the crash site were the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Tarkington Volunteer Fire Department and Smith Towing. Pace-Stancil Funeral Home was called to carry the deceased man’s body from the scene.
