Arlington PD, Dallas County Sheriff's Office Ask for Public's Help to ID Hit-And-Run Driver who Killed APD Officer
The Arlington Police Department is asking for the public’s help to identify and locate the driver who ran over and killed APD Motorcycle Officer Darrin McMichael as he was heading into work on September 21, 2023.
At around 6:00 that morning, Officer McMichael was traveling westbound along I-20 near St. Augustine Road in Dallas when he collided with the back end of an SUV that had slowed down in front of him. The impact caused Officer McMichael to fall off his motorcycle. Another vehicle that was traveling behind him then ran over him and continued driving. Officer McMichael was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased from his injuries.
The driver of the SUV he initially collided with remained on scene and is not facing charges.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office (DSO) is leading the investigation. During a joint press conference this week, the two agencies announced that three APD personnel – an investigative sergeant and two detectives – have been assigned to assist DSO with the case.
“No one wants justice in this case more than the Arlington Police Department,” said Sgt. Grant Gildon, one of the APD investigators now working the case. “This is a top priority for us. It’s why Chief Al Jones has directed me and two other detectives to provide the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office with any resources or assistance they need. Any way we can help, we’re here to do so.”
“We welcome their assistance and the expertise they bring to the table,” said Det. Miguel Hernandez, who is a member of the DSO Vehicle Crimes Unit. “The more people we have working on this case, the better.”
Investigators acknowledged they do not have many leads in the case. The best description they currently have of the suspect vehicle is a dark-colored sedan.
They are asking any businesses along I-20, particularly those located between Highway 175 and I-45, to review their surveillance footage from 5:45am – 6:15am on Thursday, September 21, 2023 to see if it contains anything that may be helpful to the investigation.
They are also urging trucking companies to check whether they had drivers traveling along I-20 through Dallas at that time to see if their on-board dash cameras captured any relevant video.
“We believe someone out there knows what happened or knows who is responsible for this,” said Det. Hernandez. “We need you to do the right thing and come forward. We need anyone with information to contact us.”
“There’s comfort in closure,” said APD Officer William Bill, a close friend of Officer McMichael’s. “That’s what we need. We need to come full circle.”
Anyone with information is urged to call the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office at (214) 749-5189. Tipsters can also call North Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-877-373-8477.
There is currently $35,000 in reward money available to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case:
- North Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a $15,000 reward. This total includes their initial $5,000 contribution and an additional $10,000 provided by Hart HVAC.
- Oak Farms Dairy has provided $15,000 in reward money.
- A donor who wishes to remain anonymous has provided $5,000 in reward money.
To be eligible for the North Texas Crime Stoppers reward, tipsters must call in their tips using the Crime Stoppers number.
The remaining $20,000 in reward money is available to anyone who calls either number.
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