An arrest warrant has been issued for a driver who police say knocked a motorcyclist off his bike and dragged the bike more than a mile down Highway 183 in North Austin.
KVUE's Jim Bergamo reports
09/26/2008
The collision happened early in the morning on September 4. Police say they found the body of Eric Laufer on the side of the road and his motorcycle with a ground-down rear tire on a traffic island near Burnet Road.
Witnesses said they saw a blue SUV crash into the motorcycle and drag it down the road.
According to an arrest affidavit, investigators found a crumpled license plate stuck in the motorcycle wreckage that belonged to an Austin-registered SUV. Investigators said the SUV had front-end damage. The registered owner told police that Jose Luis Dorantes, 20, was using the vehicle when the crash happened.
"I don't think there is any way he could not have known that the motorcycle was attached to his SUV for over a mile," said Chad Francouis, APD detective. "Between the sparks and the smell and the bike being feet in front of his face, after an impact there's no way he could have not known."
Police have charged Dorantes with 2nd degree manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid. Bond totals $115,000.
Dorantes is not in custody. If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers at 472-TIPS.
(09/04)
Police look for hit-and-run driver