A fatal crash linked to street racing in McKinney, Texas, has claimed the lives of two elderly residents and led to the arrest of a second suspect. According to McKinney Police, the collision occurred on July 17 at the intersection of Custer Road and Bedford Lane, when 51-year-old James Armont, driving a red BMW, crashed into a silver Hyundai minivan while allegedly racing another driver. The minivan's occupants, 77-year-old William Lazarus and Sandra Lazarus, both died as a result of the crash. Armont was arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter. Police have since arrested a second individual, 22-year-old Braydon Moss, identified as the other driver allegedly involved in the race. Moss faces two counts of racing on a highway resulting in injury or death, both charged as second-degree felonies. Investigators believe street racing directly contributed to the crash. Emergency responders arrived at the scene following the collision, but the Lazaruses did not survive their injuries. The case remains under active investigation by McKinney Police as both suspects face pending felony charges.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred at the intersection of Custer Road and Bedford Lane in McKinney, a growing suburb in Collin County north of Dallas. Custer Road is a major north-south thoroughfare that carries heavy commuter and through traffic, and residents near this intersection have reported longstanding concerns about speeding and reckless driving in the area. Neighbors told local media that a crash of this severity felt inevitable given driving patterns they had observed, and some have called for the installation of a stoplight to help control speeds and deter racing. The intersection's current traffic control configuration, combined with its role as a connector between residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors, may make it particularly vulnerable to high-speed incidents. Local officials and traffic engineers may reassess signal placement and enforcement measures in response to this incident.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Texas law, racing on a highway resulting in death or serious injury is a second-degree felony, and drivers involved may also face separate charges such as manslaughter depending on the circumstances. Surviving family members of victims killed in crashes involving reckless or criminal conduct may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim under the Texas Wrongful Death Act, separate from any criminal proceedings. Texas generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury and wrongful death claims, though certain circumstances may affect this timeline. Compensation in such cases may include funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, medical costs, and other damages permitted under state law. Insurance considerations may involve both drivers' liability coverage, and claims may become complex when multiple parties share fault. Individuals affected by this crash should consult applicable Texas statutes for full details.

Related Resources

• McKinney Police Department: (972) 547-2700
• McKinney Fire Department / Emergency Services: 911 (emergency), (972) 547-2800 (non-emergency)
• Collin County Sheriff's Office
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) – Traffic Safety: https://www.txdot.gov/safety.html
• Texas Department of Public Safety – Traffic Law Information: https://www.dps.texas.gov
• Texas Statutes – Transportation Code (Racing on Highway, §545.420): https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – Victim Resources: https://www.nhtsa.gov
• Crime Victims' Compensation Program (Texas Office of the Attorney General): https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/crime-victims