A motorcyclist killed in a collision involving a sportutility vehicle became Taylor’s fourth traffic fatality of the year.
The Williamson County District Attorney’s Office is working to determine if charges will be filed after officers reported the SUV driver left the scene of the accident.
The tragedy unfolded shortly after 12:20 a.m. Oct. 13 in the 2000 block of West Second Street and involved a 2021 Kawasaki motorcycle and a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban.
A preliminary investigation indicates the motorcycle operator, Jesse Daniel Baldenegro, 23, of Taylor, was headed east on Second Street when his vehicle was in a collision with the Suburban.
The Suburban was leaving the Luxury Inn when the accident occurred.
Williamson County sheriff’s deputies reported seeing the motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed just before the crash. Investigators said the driver of the Suburban — identified as a 27-year-old Mexican national — ran away from the accident before police arrived.
Baldenegro was pronounced dead at the scene.
At 7:40 a.m., deputies spotted the Suburban driver at the Texaco gas station, 2200 W. Second St., and detained him until Taylor officers arrived.
The motorist then voluntarily went to the Taylor Police Department, where he was interviewed by investigators, officials said.
He was released pending further investigation, according to reports.
