Man arrested for deadly hit-and-run near SXSW was evading police before crash: affidavit
AUSTIN, Texas - Police arrested a man in connection with a hit-and-run in downtown Austin early Tuesday morning that left one pedestrian dead and another in critical condition.
On Tuesday, March 12, police saw a vehicle parked in a parking lot that they say was tied to "persons having been involved in violent crimes and narcotics," according to an arrest affidavit.
Officers reported seeing Tyrone Thompson get into the driver's seat and attempted to pull him over after they noticed the vehicle had a faulty headlight.
As the officer approached the car, Thompson took off heading eastbound on East 7th Street, running red lights, including the one at East 7th Street and Red River where he hit two pedestrians, the affidavit says.
One of the pedestrians, 26-year-old Cody Jordan Shelton, died at the scene.
The second pedestrian was taken to the hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. That person is still in critical condition.
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Tyrone Thompson mug shot (Austin Police Department)
Police say Thompson was involved in another crash on Tuesday around 1:54 a.m. elsewhere in Travis County, and was arrested on multiple unrelated charges.
An affidavit says Thompson was talking over officers, swaying, over-exaggerating his movements, and officers could smell alcohol on his breath.
He claimed he had not been driving and that his mom had dropped him off at the vehicle, so officers called his mom, and she said she hadn't seen him since 10 p.m., the affidavit says.
When officers informed Thompson he was being arrested for DWI, the affidavit says he began pulling away, kicking deputies and attempting to pinch and grab their hands and hit them.
While in handcuffs, deputies say he continued to resist as they tried to put him in the patrol car and threatened them.
When deputies searched the car, they found a 1 liter bottle of tequila that was ⅓ full within reach of the driver's seat. They also found a loaded Glock 19 in the back seat within reach.
Deputies say Thompson was also combative with booking staff when he arrived at the jail, and attempted to lunge at a nurse while being assessed.
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Thompson is charged with Crash Involving Death in connection with the death of the pedestrian.
Jail records show he's also facing charges for Driving While Intoxicated, Resist Arrest Search or Transport, Obstruction or Retaliation, and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon in connection with the other crash.
Anyone with any information on this case should contact APD's Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. You may also submit your tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.