2015-11-09 Strout

Manslaughter Case – Kameron Shaun Peeks / Tammy Lorene Strout

Tammy Lorene Strout, 31, of Amarillo, died on November 9, 2015, after being struck with a vehicle near the Canadian River bridge and U.S. Highway 87. Kameron Shaun Peeks, 30, was indicted on a manslaughter charge in connection with Strout's death.^[1]

Incident

Investigators said Peeks struck Tammy Lorene Strout, 31, with a vehicle. Peeks then drove Strout to an Amarillo hospital where she later died.

According to a news release issued the day of the incident, Peeks told a Potter County sheriff's deputy he had struck Strout intentionally.

Indictment

Earlier in February 2016, a Potter County grand jury indicted Kameron Shaun Peeks, 30, in the death that occurred on November 9 near the Canadian River bridge and U.S. Highway 87.

Randall Sims, 47th District Attorney, said despite the early reports that the incident was intentional, the grand jury elected to hand down a manslaughter charge.

"That (information) came out right when it first happened," Sims said. "That doesn't necessarily always mean that's exactly what the facts wind up being."

The indictment alleges Peeks "recklessly" caused Strout's death.

Relationship

Mark Jones, Strout's brother, said Peeks was Strout's ex-boyfriend. Peeks and Strout dated for several years and had a child together.

Jones said the two had separated about six months prior to the incident. He declined to speculate on the circumstances surrounding Strout's death.

"If you're asking me if I think it should be a murder charge, then I really don't know," Jones said in a Facebook message. "Only Kameron knows whether the intention was premeditated or an all-of-a-sudden action. My stance is as long as he gets some prison time and charged with a felony, then at least the justice system did something."

Jones later said he thought the similarities between the two deaths, separated by over five years, were "very odd."

"With the sentence that Buse got, one could say it is almost too coincidental," Jones said. "I wouldn't say I necessarily think that, but some do and I can see why."

Bizarre Similarities to 2010 Case

One of Strout's relatives died under similar circumstances in 2010, Globe-News files show.

In October 2010, Michael Paul Buse, 49, drove a Chevrolet Avalanche over Daisy Ruth Stout, 26, Tammy Strout's cousin.

Police found Daisy Strout's body about 4:20 a.m. on October 10, 2010, in the parking lot of the Chisholm Building, 1220 S. Georgia St.

After interviews with police, Buse was arrested and charged with murder.

Witnesses had told police the two were seen at a bar on Sixth Avenue hours before the body was discovered. Investigators later found marks on Daisy Strout's clothing that were similar to the Chevrolet's tire treads.

In a court case that concluded nearly two years after the incident, Buse pleaded guilty to manslaughter as part of a plea agreement.

Judge Ana Estevez sentenced Buse in 251st District Court to 10 years of probation and also ordered him to spend a total of 120 days in jail, including a day to be served each year for the next nine years on the anniversary of Daisy Strout's death.

Sims said that plea agreement was reached with the full support of the victim's family. The issue of leaving the couple's child without a parent also factored into the decision.

Some who knew Daisy Strout expressed dismay over the outcome of the case.

After the sentencing, Velma Cagel, who knew Daisy Strout for 20 years, said, "He won the court lottery." She added, "He got a slap on the wrist."

Prosecutor's Reaction

Earlier in the week, Sims said he was shocked to hear the Strout name come up while his office was being briefed on the death at the Canadian River bridge.

"I don't know if you can call it deja vu," Sims said, "but all of us were very stunned to have something that similar happen."

Case Timeline

• November 9, 2015: Tammy Lorene Strout struck by vehicle; dies at hospital

• February 2016: Potter County grand jury indicts Kameron Shaun Peeks on manslaughter charge

• Date of death: Strout died Monday, November 9, 2015; memorial services were held at noon Saturday in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel

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