2021-02-28

#event/indictment #offense/accident-personal-injury-death #street/Eastern/S/100-block #type/hit-and-run

Sunday hit-and-run kills kills man on bicycle, say Amarillo police

On Sunday, February 28, 2021, police were called to the 100 block of S Eastern Street around 9:08 p.m. on a reported crash.

Police said 36-year-old Dallas Blake McBeth was riding his bike in the road when he was hit from the back by an unknown vehicle. The vehicle drove away, leaving McBeth dead.^[1]

Two years later, a Potter County grand jury indicted Erick Valenzuela, 39, on a count of accident involving death.

According to court documents, a man saw it happen and called police.

Surveillance video showed Valenzuela driving the vehicle three minutes before the crash.^[2]

A week after the deadly hit-and-run, McBeth's mom said she forgives the driver who killed her son.

"I know nothing can bring my son Dallas McBeth back, and I know God took him home the moment the vehicle hit him. Who am I to question God’s plan for my son," said Linda Loa in March 2021. "To the person who hit him and left him dead in the road, I FORGIVE you with all my heart. I don’t know what you're going through, But GOD does and He will bring justice for Dallas whether it’s here on earth or in Heaven."