Marlin man charged in collision that killed woman, injured toddler was speeding recklessly: affidavit

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - The Waco Police Department arrested Lee Jordan Murrow, 31, of Marlin, for manslaughter and injury to a child, after he was allegedly driving 116 mph in a 40 mph zone, and collided with a driver making a U-turn, resulting in the death of an elderly woman.

The collision claimed the life of 81-year-old Dorthey Small, of Fountain, Colorado, and sent a toddler to the hospital. It happened shortly after 12 p.m. on May 17 in the 1000 Block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Police said the driver of a Mazda 6 minivan, identified in affidavits as Cynthia Easley, was traveling south down MLK, made a U-Turn, and was struck by a second vehicle, a BMW driven by Murrow, causing both vehicles to collide with a third vehicle.

Two passengers riding in the Mazda 6 were thrown out of the vehicle, and had to be transported to a local hospital. Police said a 3-year-old girl suffered minor injuries. Small was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Mazda 6 suffered extensive back right damage from Murrow’s BMW, police wrote in the affidavit. “The damage was greater than a crash occurring at the posted 40 mph speed,” investigators said.

Investigators seized the airbag control module from Murrow’s BMW, and learned Murrow was driving at 116 mph about five seconds before the collision, according to the court document.

Investigators believe Murrow’s alleged speed on the 40 mph stretch of MLK was a “reckless act,” the affidavit states.

Online jail records reveal Murrow is being held on bonds adding up to $20,000.

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