Montgomery County man charged with manslaughter after allegedly running over bike rider

A bicycle rider was run over by a Chevy near Cleveland on Saturday night. A bicycle rider was run over by a Chevy near Cleveland on Saturday night. Photo: Montgomery County Police Reporter Photo: Montgomery County Police Reporter Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close Montgomery County man charged with manslaughter after allegedly running over bike rider 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

A Montgomery County man was charged with manslaughter after allegedly running over a bicycle rider near Cleveland Saturday night, according to authorities.

Fernando Symonds was jailed on $100,000 bond after the arrest. The 23-year-old was allegedly black Chevy pick-up was heading westbound along Midline near Lewis just after 8:30 p.m. when he crashed into Dennis Hollifield as the older man rode his bike, officials said.

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The 54-year-old rider had an LED headlight and pedal reflectors and was traveling eastbound when the Chevy crossed over the center line and allegedly ran him over, dragging the bicycle down the road for a long distance, according to the Montgomery County Police Reporter.

Afterward, the driver left the scene - but then turned around and came back. The bicyclist was non-responsive and lying in a ditch when first responders arrived. He died a few minutes later.

The Chevy driver was not injured but was taken in for a blood draw, before authorities settled on a charge.

"He is facing charges of at least manslaughter and possibly intoxicated manslaughter," Montgomery County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack said early in the day. "DPS is still investigating that."

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Safety and the District Attorney's Office all responded to the wreck.

"There were several witnesses on the scene," Mack said. "Another pedestrian was almost struck as well."





