On the evening of August 14, 2024, at approximately 9:38 PM, the Van Alstyne Police Department received a 911 call from Collin County reporting a gray Dodge truck driving erratically northbound on U.S. Highway 75. The truck was reportedly colliding with barriers and other vehicles.
Responding officers quickly located the truck and observed its reckless driving. When they activated their emergency lights and sirens, the driver refused to comply, turning off the vehicle's lights and accelerating northbound on U.S. Highway 75 at high speed. North of FM 902 in Howe, the truck crossed the grass median onto the service road before attempting to re-enter the highway. At this point, the driver lost control of the vehicle.
The driver, identified as 37-year-old Delio Lomas from Dallas, was the sole occupant of the truck and was ejected from the vehicle. Officers on the scene provided immediate first aid until EMS arrived and took over life-saving efforts. Lomas was transported to AHS Sherman Medical Center Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Further investigation revealed that the truck had been stolen earlier that evening from a grocery store parking lot in McKinney. It was also discovered that Lomas had been released from Collin County Jail just hours before the incident, where he had been held for a probation violation related to theft. Fortunately, there were no other reported injuries resulting from this event.
The Texas Department of Highway Patrol is assisting with the investigation into the crash. The Van Alstyne Police Department has expressed its condolences to Mr. Lomas's family and appreciates the collaboration and support of the Texas DPS and Sherman Police Department in this ongoing investigation.
