The Plano Police Department has arrested and charged a man for a hit-and-run crash that left a young mother dead, police said.
Leah Alexis Daniels, 29, of McKinney, was killed when a semi struck her on U.S. Highway 75, south of Legacy Drive, and kept going.
The man police believe was involved in the crash is 55-year-old Richard Crockett Jr. of Sherman.
He is charged with failing to stop after an accident involving a death. The offense is a second-degree felony.
The incident took place around 9:30 p.m. on March 13.
Daniels’ vehicle was stalled in the second traffic lane from the right at the time of the crash. Her car was first rear-ended by another vehicle, whose occupants ran to safety.
The semi struck Daniels as she tried to exit her vehicle through the passenger-side door. The truck continued south on 75 and did not stop.
Daniels’ body was thrown into the center lane, where another car struck it.
She died at the scene.
Officer Andrae Smith, a spokesman for the Plano Police Department, spoke to NBC DFW about what happened.
“Of all of the witnesses who saw what they saw, it’s going to be traumatic for the days, weeks, and years to come. But we want to bring some resolution to this family,” Smith said.
According to NBC DFW, Daniels’ mother, Karen Hoffman, offered her forgiveness to the driver before he was identified.
“Even for the person responsible, please come forward, and I forgive you,” Hoffman said through tears. “I forgive you. Just come forward.”
Plano police identified Crockett as the suspected driver and issued a warrant for his arrest on March 16.
Crockett turned himself in, which the Plano Police confirmed. He is currently being held at the Collin County Detention Center.
According to statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation, the fatality rate on Texas roadways in 2021 was 1.56 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, a 4.17% increase from 2020.
Daniels left behind a 5-year-old son.
