NEWS RELEASE

For More Information Contact:      For Immediate Release:

David Tilley, PIO                                    Date:               July 5, 2016              

Plano Police Department                         Time:              10:00 a.m.

972-941-2433                                           Incident:        16-123355 

FATALITY CRASH

On July 4, 2016 at approximately 7:05 p.m., Plano Police Officers responded to a serious injury crash in the 2500 block of northbound N. Central Expressway.  It was determined that a 2004 Suzuki motorcycle occupied by a male was traveling northbound on Central Expressway at a high rate of speed when a woman driving a 2011 Nissan Rogue pulled onto the roadway from a connecting street.  The motorcycle struck the Sport Utility Vehicle causing the driver of the motorcycle to be ejected and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The driver of the motorcycle was not wearing a helmet.

After further investigation, the female driver of the Sport Utility Vehicle, who did not report any injuries, was arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter.  She has been identified as Lenora Raqual Merritt, a 45-year old woman from Sherman, Texas 

The driver of the motorcycle was identified as Jesse Dillon Villarreal, a 25-year old resident of Balch Springs, Texas.  Next of kin has been notified.

The crash investigation remains ongoing by the Plano Police Traffic Unit.