Killeen Police Identify and Arrest Suspect in Fatal Hit and Run Crash

Killeen, TX (June 13, 2024): The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit has identified and arrested a 47-year-old male suspect in a fatal hit and run crash.

On Sunday, June 11, 2023, at approximately 2:31 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of E. Elms Road in reference to a crash. Upon the officers’ arrival, paramedics were on scene attending to a male lying in the roadway with serious injuries. The victim, Eric Rucker, succumbed to his injuries.

As a result of an extensive joint investigation with the Fort Cavazos Criminal Investigation Division, Traffic Investigators were able to identify the suspect in this case. The case was presented to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office, and on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, a complaint was issued charging 47-year-old Kristopher Taylor Jr. with Collision Involving Death, a second-degree felony offense.

On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service-Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Taylor was located and arrested without incident in Bryan, TX. He was transported to the Brazos County Jail and is pending arraignment.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE A HIT AND RUN FATALITY

Killeen, TX (June 11, 2023): The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit need the community’s assistance in a hit and run fatality.

On Sunday, June 11, 2023, at approximately 2:31 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of E. Elms Road in reference to a crash. Upon the officers’ arrival, paramedics were on scene attending to a male lying in the roadway with serious injuries. The victim, Eric Rucker, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Nicola James at 3:21 a.m. She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

The preliminary investigation revealed that two motorcycle operators were traveling westbound on E. Elms Road when the victim dropped an item in the roadway. Both motorcyclists stopped and got off their motorcycles to retrieve the item. While the victim was trying to recover the dropped item, he was struck by a passing vehicle.
The suspect vehicle was described to be a smaller gray sedan and may have front end and windshield damage.
Traffic Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen anything or has information about this incident, to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com. You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS or Android and give an anonymous tip. All information is confidential and anonymous and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible, you could be eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department