The driver of a vehicle who fled after a Sept. 6 crash in Decatur that resulted in injuries to a child has been arrested.
Derek Alan Degenhardt, 42, of Decatur was arrested on a felony charge of collision involving injury Sept. 18, according to Wise County Jail records. He posted a $5,000 personal recognizance bond the same day and was released from jail, the records show.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation crash report and the arrest affidavit in the case obtained by the Messenger, a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse driven by David Jones was southbound in the 2400 block of U.S. 81/287 taking the Farm Road 730 exit at 9:21 p.m. Sept. 6 when the vehicle was struck from behind by a 2018 Dodge Ram 2500.
Photos posted on social media by the Traverse’s occupants show major damage to the rear of the vehicle.
According to the crash report, the pickup, later identified as driven by Degenhardt, fled the scene of the crash without stopping to render aid or check on the occupants of the Traverse.
A 10-year-old boy who was a back passenger in the Traverse was taken by ground ambulance to Medical City Decatur for chest pains.
The affidavit states that Degenhardt came to the Decatur Police Station two days later and said he was the driver of the pickup involved in the crash.
An arrest warrant was issued on Sept. 16.
The crash report states that failure to control speed was the contributing factor for the wreck.
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