On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, a high-risk incident on Texas 36 in Bell County ended in tragedy. Law enforcement and emergency personnel were called after reports that a 39-year-old male from Gatesville, Texas, was threatening self-harm and had a history of family violence, including an assault investigation involving a pregnant victim.
The Bell County Sheriff’s Office, Temple Police Department, and Gatesville Police Department coordinated in tracking the individual, who was reportedly traveling in a blue Dodge pickup near Belton Lake and White Flint Park. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger initially made contact with the male, but he refused to comply and drove away.
Deputies pursued the vehicle eastbound into Temple. During the pursuit, the pickup crossed into oncoming traffic on the Texas Highway 317 overpass and collided with a westbound semi-truck carrying oil field pipe. The impact proved fatal for the pickup driver. The semi-truck driver, from Channel View, Texas, was transported to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Justice of the Peace Larry Wilkey has ordered an autopsy to determine the full circumstances surrounding the driver’s death. Investigators from the Bell County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division are leading the ongoing investigation, with support from the Temple Police Department, Gatesville Police, and Temple Fire Department. Drone photography from Temple PD assisted in documenting the scene.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Bell County Sheriff’s Office. At this time, no further details have been released regarding the driver’s motivations or ongoing investigations.