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Lufkin man killed by truck after fleeing traffic stop on foot

The Lufkin Daily News

Friday, May 15, 2009

A Lufkin man was struck and killed by a Freightliner truck after fleeing his friend's car during a traffic stop on North Loop 287 around 1:18 a.m. Friday.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials did not know why the man, Benjamin Romero, 23, fled during the traffic stop near Ellen Trout Zoo, according to a DPS dispatcher. Romero ran into the roadway, where he was struck by the truck pulling a trailer, the dispatcher said. Tomas Mendez Aguilar was the truck's driver, according to the dispatcher.

Romero died on scene and was taken the Carroway-Claybar Funeral Home, where arrangements are pending.

The accident is still under investigation. None of the investigating troopers were available for comment Friday morning.