Motorcyclist dies in crash with alleged DUI driver in Arlington, suspect in custody

A man was arrested for allegedly killing a motorcyclist while driving drunk and trying to flee crash scene early Saturday morning, Arlington police said in a news release.

At approximately 1:07 a.m., officers responded to a report accident between a pickup truck and a motorcycle in the 2700 block of N. Collins Street, near the intersection with Green Oaks Boulevard. When officers arrived, they found the motorcyclist, a 55-year-old man, lying on the street, according to the statement.

The motorcyclist, identified in medical records as Richard Wing, died at the scene, according to police.

Witnesses told police the driver of the Chevy Silverado was weaving between lanes while driving north on North Collins Street. The driver, identified as 27-year-old Thomas Kelly Jr., struck Wing as he swerved into the center turn lane, police said. Wing had been driving a Harley Davidson in the southbound lane and moved into the center lane to make a turn.

Witnesses then saw Kelly exit the truck, grab cans from the vehicle, throw them in a field and try to run away, the release said. A witness was able to catch Kelly and hold him until officers arrived, police said.

Kelly refused a field sobriety test. Officers believe he was intoxicated based on their observations, witness statements, Kelly’s own statements and beer cans recovered from the site where he threw trash.

Police said Kelly was arrested on three charges: one charge of intoxication manslaughter, one charge of hit and run resulting in death, and one charge of tampering. Kelly is also charged with assaulting a household member with a prior conviction, according to jail records.

As of Sunday afternoon, Kelly was being held in the Tarrant County Jail. Bond had not yet been established.