Copperas Cove Man Arrested in Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash

Troopers investigating the Dec. 26, 2025 collision that left 63-year-old Benny Ray Manning dead documented physical evidence at the scene that, investigators say, matched damage and debris on a white 2015 Dodge Ram driven by 86-year-old Russell Allan Meier. An arrest warrant affidavit filed after the investigation says white paint, portions of a damaged headlamp, broken pieces of a black bug reflector, and a fiber fragment matching the victim’s shirt were found among crash debris and on the vehicle.

The affidavit says Meier told investigators he felt an impact while driving at about 30 to 35 miles per hour, looked back and thought he saw a black trash bag, and continued driving. It further alleges that after passing the crash location a second time, Meier encountered a police roadblock and chose to leave on an alternate route instead of stopping to report the collision. Meier was arrested Dec. 31, 2025 and is charged with failure to stop and render aid in a collision involving death, a second-degree felony.

Investigators photographed the scene and the vehicle to document injuries and debris, and those images formed part of the account used to support the warrant. The charge reflects the seriousness with which Texas law treats leaving the scene of a crash that results in death; beyond criminal exposure, such incidents carry profound consequences for families and the broader community.

For residents of Coryell County, the case underscores both the human cost of roadway violence and the public health dimensions of crash response. A fatal collision not only removes a neighbor, family member, or breadwinner, but also strains emergency services, triggers long-term mental health needs among witnesses and loved ones, and forces local systems to reckon with prevention and accountability. Rural and small-town communities often face challenges in trauma referral networks and mental health services; high-profile cases like this highlight gaps in prevention, rapid response, and post-crash support.

The arrest begins a legal process that will play out in county court, and it raises local policy questions about road safety measures, community education on collision reporting, and support for bereaved families. As authorities proceed with the case, public officials and health providers in Coryell County may need to assess both immediate supports for those affected and longer-term strategies to reduce preventable deaths on local roads.