Motorcyclist Killed Near Copperas Cove, Authorities Seek Witnesses

Investigators with the Texas Department of Public Safety are asking for information after a fatal motorcycle crash in Coryell County on December 26. Benny Ray Manning, 63, of Copperas Cove, was found off the roadway at Bea Powell Road and Grimes Crossing at about 5 p.m. A passerby located Manning and a heavily damaged motorcycle, and he was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace John Guinn.

Troopers who responded to the scene reported finding evidence that the motorcycle may have been struck by another vehicle, which could have caused the crash. No other vehicles were present when emergency personnel arrived, and emergency services did not receive reports of a vehicle striking a motorcycle. The inconsistency has led investigators to continue their work to determine how the collision occurred and whether a driver left the scene.

For residents of Copperas Cove and surrounding areas, the unresolved circumstances underscore local safety concerns on county roads. The crash occurred on a holiday weekend when traffic patterns and visibility can change, and it serves as a reminder of the risks motorcyclists face. Neighbors and family members are likely to feel the loss keenly in a community where personal connections run deep.

Investigations into crashes that may involve a departing vehicle often require timely witness accounts and physical evidence. Authorities encourage anyone who was in the area around Bea Powell Road and Grimes Crossing on the afternoon of December 26, or anyone with dash camera footage or other information, to contact the Texas DPS Office in Coryell County at (254) 865 7199. Information from the public can be decisive in clarifying the sequence of events and in pursuing potential criminal charges if a responsible driver is identified.

The crash remains under investigation as troopers gather evidence and interview potential witnesses. Local officials and law enforcement emphasize the importance of community cooperation to bring clarity to the incident and to support road safety efforts across Coryell County.