Woman charged with murder in motorcycle accident death of Bedford man

A suspected drunk driver is facing murder charges for the death of a motorcycle rider in a recent car accident.

 

The accident occurred last Tuesday morning when Billy Stroud, 56, was riding his new motorcycle. Stroud was traveling on Belknap Street in Haltom City when he was struck from behind by a car driven by Tammy Sue Stegall, 50.

Stroud later died of his injuries Tuesday afternoon at a Fort Worth hospital.

Stroud’s family is facing a double tragedy. Stroud’s death comes just weeks after he buried his son, 20-year-old Jonathon Stroud, who died after serving two months as a Marine in Afghanistan.

 

In fact, Stroud purchased his motorcycle because he was so impressed by The Patriot Guard, a team of motorcycle riders that line the funeral routes of fallen soldiers, partly to shield the family from possible protestors.

 

Stegall has two previous drunk driving convictions, and is believed to have been intoxicated when she hit Stroud. Stegall was arraigned the day after the accident. She was jailed on charges of intoxication manslaughter, but because of her previous DWI convictions, the charge was changed to murder. Her bail has been set at $500,000.

Stegall has a long criminal history. Since 1982, she has been convicted of credit card abuse, theft, possession of a controlled substance and two incidents of passing a forged check. The forged check convictions resulted in a 5-year prison sentence in 1986.

 

To read more about Stroud and the events surrounding this fatal motorcycle accident, click here for the complete story.

 

Fears | Nachawati is a Texas personal injury and wrongful death law firm representing victims of motorcycle accidents and their families. Email us at info@fnlawfirm.com or call us on our toll-free number at 1.866.705.7584 for free legal advice on your potential claim.

 

Teenage girl dies from injuries suffered in motorcycle accident

A 16-year-old girl died from the serious injuries she suffered in a motorcycle accident earlier this week.

 

The accident took place at around 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, about 6 miles east of Temple, Texas. The victim, Stephanie Ann Wingard, was the passenger on a motorcycle being driven by 20-year-old David Lavon Miller.

 

Miller was traveling westbound on FM 3369 when he veered into the eastbound lane while rounding a curve in the road. Miller swerved back into his own lane upon spotting an oncoming vehicle, but he lost control of his motorcycle. He left the road and drove into a ditch, hitting a culvert. Both riders were ejected upon impact. Miller was wearing a helmet; Wingard was not.

 

Miller suffered only minor injuries.

 

For more on this Texas motorcycle accident, click here for the full story.

 

Contact Fears | Nachawati today if you or a loved one has been injured in a Texas motorcycle accident. You will receive a free legal consultation from a Texas personal injury lawyer. Simply email us at info@fnlawfirm.com or call us on our toll-free helpline at 1.866.705.7584.

 

Facts about Texas motorcycle accidents

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the number one cause of motorcycle accidents is the failure of other motorists to see the motorcycle. Driver failure to detect motorcyclists accounts for more than half of all Texas motorcycle accidents, says the Department.

Two likely reasons accounting for this problem is the fact that drivers typically aren’t looking for motorcycles, as well as the fact that motorcycles in general are not as visible as cars. A third factor is the driving habits of motorcyclists, who must respond differently to road conditions, traffic and inclement weather.

Drivers are urged to be aware of motorcycles because approximately two thirds of Texas motorcycles accidents are caused by automobile drivers. Even when the only vehicle actually involved in the accident is a motorcycle, a driver of a car is responsible 10% of the time.

The most high risk situations, says the Texas Department of Public Safety, involve an automobile driver making a left turn in front of a motorcycle at an intersection. More than 40% of Texas motorcycle accidents take place in intersections.

Other risk factors include a car’s blind spot, hazardous road conditions, inclement weather, strong gusts of wind and large vehicles blocking a driver’s view.

If you were involved in an accident when riding on a motorcycle, it is possible that you have a Texas personal injury claim. In order to ensure that your claim is not barred by the statute of limitations, it is wise to seek the immediate advice of a Texas personal injury lawyer.

Fears | Nachawati will provide you with a free consultation about your Texas personal injury claim. Simply email us at info@fnlawfirm.com or call us on our toll-free helpline at 1.866.705.7584.