APD identifies man killed in Southeast Austin wreck

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department has identified the man killed in a Southeast Austin wreck over the weekend as 56-year-old Harrison Thomas Beard, Jr. 

During the course of their investigation, officers determined that the driver of a red, 2017 Dodge RAM was traveling southbound in the 5200 block of South FM 973 when he crossed the center lane for an unknown reason and struck an oncoming tan, 2001 Ford F150.

The driver of the Ford F150, Harrison Thomas Beard, Jr., died on scene. The driver of the Dodge RAM was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

Police have not said if the driver of the Dodge RAM will face charges. 

Anyone with information regarding this case should call APD’s Vehicular Homicide Unit Detectives at (512) 974-8544. You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android. 

This is Austin’s 23rd fatal traffic crash of 2020, resulting in 24 fatalities this year. At this time in 2019, there were 14 traffic fatalities.