Suspect in custody after Waller County fatal hit-and-run
BROOKSHIRE, Texas (KTRK) -- Two bicyclists were killed and another injured when a driver hit them in Waller County, according to the Department of Public Safety.
Those two bicyclists have been identified as Keri Blanchard Guillory, 48, and Craig Randall Tippit, 37. The third person was reported to have suffered a leg injury, State Police said.
Authorities have identified Victor Kevin Tome, 25, as the driver in the case. The three cyclists were part of a larger group at the intersection of Buller Road and Muske Lane when they were hit just before noon.
According to police, Tome ran away from the accident scene and broke into a stranger's home, about a mile away.
Mark Newkirk returned to his hunting lodge on Buller Blvd. Saturday afternoon to find his door ajar.
"Helicopters were flying around, and I knew it was gonna be a manhunt," Newkirk said.
When he walked into his living room, he said Tome was standing inside.
"He looked like he was armed and everything, and I said, 'Oh boy,'" Tome said.
Newkirk said somehow he kept his cool.
"He talked about being a Russian spy, everybody thinks he's a Russian spy, and I said, 'really, yeah,' just played along, being cool," Newkirk said, "I was watching his movements because he had a knife and scissors."
Newkirk convinced Tome to get in his truck and allow him to drive to police.
"I said, come on, I'll just drive you in the truck, I said I'll make sure they don't hurt you," Newkirk said, "Don't do anything stupid."
Newkirk said it was apparent Tome was mentally disturbed.
"He said he hurt them because he thought they were gonna hurt him," Newkirk said, "That's what he was telling me, rambling on and on."
According to the Waller County Sheriff's Office, Tome surrendered peacefully around 4 p.m.
District Attorney Elton Mathis said he could face at least two felony charges for hitting and killing two cyclists then running away.
The three cyclists were participating in the 4th Annual Spring Fest at Willow River Farms. This event is a scenic bicycle tour winding through the countryside of Waller County.
The Center Houston released this statement to Eyewitness News:
The Center, a nonprofit agency serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Greater Houston area, is saddened by the tragic deaths today of two bikers participating in its SpringFest bicycle ride.
The Board of Governors and staff express profound sympathy for the victims' families. Other riders were injured, and we are praying for their full recovery.
The Center's leadership thanks to the Texas State Troopers, Waller County, other area law enforcement agencies and the emergency services personnel for their immediate response. Law enforcement is investigating the incident.
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