‘Road rage’ leads to auto-pedestrian fatality

HAYS COUNTY

Charles Allen Rice, 40, of Austin, was arrested for manslaughter, a second degree felony, related to the death of John Paul Ramirez following an alleged road-side confrontation.

Ramirez, 45, was struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Nutty Brown Road and Highway 290 on Nov. 29. The crash occurred just before 11 a.m.

“Following a confrontation outside his vehicle with another driver, Ramirez fell into the eastbound lane and was struck by an oncoming vehicle,” Billy Ray, with the Texas Department of Transportation, said.

Ramirez was taken to a hospital in Austin where he was pronounced dead. Next of kin has been notified.

The probable cause affidavit issued for Rice’s arrest said the two were “possibly involved in a ‘road rage’ type incident.”

“Rice through his own negligent and reckless action caused the death of John P. Ramirez by striking him on or about his head or face, causing him to fall into a lane of active traffic on HWY 290. As a result, a vehicle struck Mr. Ramirez in the head and killed him,” the affidavit said.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Department arrested Rice, who was involved in the confrontation with Ramirez. Rice was charged with manslaughter and released from jail on a $25,000 bond.