Suspect Flees To Canada After Fatal Hit-and-Run

LUBBOCK, TX – A 29-year-old Shallowater man has been indicted and charged in connection to a fatal hit-and-run.

According to law enforcement, Benjamin Mitchell was traveling in a Buick Lacrosse 4600 block of Avenue Q.

An officer who was traveling in the opposite direction on Ave Q observed Mitchell driving at a high rate of speed. Before he could turn around and conduct a traffic stop, the officer heard tires screeching and the impact of the crash.

Mitchell had struck a motorcycle and left the scene without stopping to check on the two riders.

The riders were identified as 40-year-old Anthony Childers and 31-year-old Barbara Matthews of Hobbs, New Mexico. They died at the scene.

The subsequent investigation revealed Mitchell was traveling at 106 mph shortly before the crash occurred.

After the crash, Mitchell traveled to Michigan, where he was observed attempting to enter Canada at the border in his vehicle multiple times. He was unable to leave the country due to COVID-19.

Mitchell was eventually arrested by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force.

During the interview, Mithcell told deputies the crash had been an accident because the motorcycle pulled out in front of him. He also stated he "regrets leaving the scene after the crash.” 

Mitchell told law enforcement he traveled to Michigan because it was far from Lubbock.

He was charged with two counts of manslaughter.

Mitchell is currently being held at the Lubbock County Detention Center.