Crash Caused When Driver Accidentally Shot By Passenger

ABILENE, TX. (AP) – A pickup driver was killed by the accidental discharge of a hunting rifle held by his friend, causing a head-on collision that injured five people, authorities said.

James Michael Edwards, 22, of Abilene, died after a high-caliber rifle held by a back-seat passenger accidentally fired and sent the bullet through the front seat, Justice of the Peace Mike Pueschel said.

Pueschel said he determined the Sunday night shooting was accidental after talking to one of the three men injured in the pickup and a sheriff’s deputy who had spoken with the passenger believed to be holding the rifle.

“That boy’s life is going to be changed,” Pueschel said, referring to the victim’s friend holding the gun. “You can’t imagine what they’re going through.” The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office requested Sunday night and Monday that an autopsy be done, but Pueschel declined, saying it was not necessary because there was too little evidence.

Sgt. John Cummins said detectives are investigating the case as an accidental shooting but have not ruled out filing charges, such as criminally negligent homicide. He said an autopsy is routine in any type of death investigation.

The pickup driven by Edwards crossed the Interstate 20 median near Tye and collided head-on with another pickup, sending its driver and passenger to the hospital.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Edited and posted to KVIA.com by Miguel Martinez