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Dec 30, 2008 6:23 pm US/Central
Suspected DUI Driver Causes Deadly Burleson Crash
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
There is new information today about a deadly hit and run accident in south Fort Worth. CBS 11 News first reported the fatal crash last night.
Now, police say the man responsible faces charges of intoxicated manslaughter.
On the narrow, winding road in the 500 block of Abner Lee is where police say a 42-year-old Burleson man lost his life. Tuesday there was till debris from the crash scattered on the shoulder.
Police say the victim was driving a minivan Monday night when 26-year-old Mark Pierce crossed into oncoming traffic and hit the victim head-on.
The driver of the minivan, Lance Shetler, died at the scene. Family friend Paula Owens described Shetler as, "A wonderful father, wonderful husband, glue of that family."
Shetler was reportedly headed home from his job in Irving when the crash happened.
Pierce left the crash scene on foot, but was later picked up in Burleson. Authorities believe he was headed to his mother's house. CBS 11 News went to that woman's house Tuesday, but no one was home.
Police believe Pierce was intoxicated and was driving his mother's vehicle at the time of the wreck.
Pierce is from Vicksburg, Mississippi and according to authorities there has a clean record.
Now friends and members of a North Texas family are left to mourn the deadly consequences of Pierces' alleged actions. "I don't know if I could tell you that there's anyone who's a kinder, gentler soul than he [Shetler] was," said Owens.
Meanwhile, police departments all across Tarrant County say they're stepping up patrols and making sure accidents like this one don't happen again during the holiday.
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