Pedestrian Pushing Bicycle Killed on US 183 Shoulder by Pickup Towing Trailer

MAY, TX — A 42-year-old pedestrian pushing a bicycle along the shoulder of US Highway 183 was struck and killed by a pickup truck towing a travel trailer, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

It happened the evening of Oct. 19, on US Highway 183, about 3 miles south of May, Texas.

Francisco Garza III, a resident of May, was walking south along the paved shoulder of the highway when a 2018 Toyota Tacoma, driven by 68-year-old Hazel Bonilla of Austin, moved onto the shoulder to allow faster traffic to pass. Bonilla, who was towing a 2021 Passport travel trailer, did not see Garza in time to avoid the crash.

Garza was pronounced deceased at the scene just after 7:30 p.m. by Justice of the Peace Bryan Thompson. Authorities noted that Garza had no lighting on his bicycle or himself at the time of the crash.

Bonilla was transported to Hendrick Hospital in Brownwood, where she was treated for non-incapacitating injuries and later released.

The crash occurred under clear weather conditions with dry roads. The posted speed limit in the area is  75 miles per hour.