Scott Burroughs

Chief of Police

Port Aransas Police Department

705 West Avenue A
Port Aransas, Texas 78373
(361) 749-6241

PRESS RELEASE***FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION***PRESS RELEASE

RE: Chief Simpson Traffic fatality update September 04, 2015
Scott Burroughs, Chief of police
361-749-6241
Sburroughs@cityofportaransas.org
Or,
Sergeant Mike Hannon, CID Supervisor
361-749-6241
Mhannon@cityofportaransas.org
The Port Aransas Police Department would like to extend our heartfelt prayers to the Simpson
family and to the family of the Port Aransas teenager involved in the May 04, 2015 accident on
highway 361 that killed Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson. The investigative process is
time consuming and both families have been cooperative and patient during this arduous period.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the Corpus Christi Police Department and to the Texas
Department of Public Safety, Highway Patrol, for their assistance with the accident investigation.
They have a level of expertise in fatal accident investigations and reconstructions that is otherwise
unavailable to a small police department such as ours.
Finally, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Coastal Bend media for their respect to the
families involved and their patience during the course of the investigation.
The criminal investigation into the fatal accident concluded a few weeks ago and the entire case
file was presented to the Nueces County District Attorney for review. On September 03, 2015,
District Attorney, Mark Skurka, informed the Port Aransas Police Department that no criminal
charges would be sought in connection with this accident.
The investigation was exhaustive and included witness interviews, forensic analysis, and detailed
reconstruction techniques. While particular aspects of the investigation may be exempted from
public disclosure, the Port Aransas Police Department believes it is important to release some
details of the investigation in order to confirm earlier statements, and in some instances, to correct
the record about preliminary investigative findings that were later disproved during the
investigative process.
Based on the preliminary evidence, investigators believed that Chief Simpsons helmet became
dislodged and that he struck his head on the pavement resulting in his death. A witness was later
identified that said that the helmet was removed by a bystander, after the accident, in an attempt

to provide first aid prior to the arrival of first responders. The medical examiner concluded that
the head injury occurred post mortem.
Evidence obtained early in the investigation indicated that neither the motorcycle, nor Chief
Simpson, impacted the northbound pickup truck driven by the Port Aransas teenager. However,
as the investigation progressed a forensic examination of the helmet revealed a small mark,
approximately one half inch in length, containing a rubbery substance. The substance was
consistent with the material found in vehicle tires and that suggested the helmet grazed one of
the tires on the drivers side of the pickup. Based on the forensic evidence coupled with evidence
discovered during the autopsy, investigators concluded this impact resulted in a fatal neck injury
to Chief Simpson.
As a part of the investigation, an examination was conducted on the teen drivers cell phone.
There was no evidence that the driver was using his phone for any purpose during or immediately
prior to the accident.
Toxicology examinations, including drug and alcohol screens, were conducted on Chief Simpson
and the juvenile driver. The results showed the presence of alcohol in Chief Simpsons blood. The
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was below the legal limit of .08 for intoxication. There is no
conclusive evidence that suggests that alcohol was a factor in the accident. The results for the
juvenile indicated that there was no presence of drugs or alcohol in his system.
An accident reconstruction was conducted. The reconstruction demonstrated that the northbound
pickup truck, driven by the juvenile, drifted across the centerline of the highway and entered the
southbound lane. The juvenile driver almost immediately corrected and began to return to the
northbound lane. Chief Simpson was driving in the southbound lane and his view was probably,
at least partially, obstructed by a southbound car that was in front of him. The southbound car
took evasive action by driving off the highway into the southbound bar ditch. Chief Simpsons
motorcycle fell on its left side and momentum caused the motorcycle to continue on a nearly
straight trajectory. While the bike was on its left side and moving in a southerly direction, the
chiefs helmet grazed a tire on the northbound truck, causing an immediately fatal neck injury.
Several bystanders stopped to render aid. The juvenile driver of the pickup stopped at the scene
to await the arrival of law enforcement. The juvenile driver and his juvenile brother, who was a
passenger in the truck, were not injured.
Investigators confirmed that the juvenile driver and his brother had been taking SCUBA lessons
during the weekend of the accident. Witnesses confirmed that there was no evidence the juvenile
driver was impaired prior to him returning home to Port Aransas. However, the driver reported
that during the return trip and immediately prior to the accident, he lost focus and may have
fallen asleep for approximately one to two seconds.
The evidence indicates that vehicle speeds, environmental conditions including lighting and
weather, and road conditions, were not causative factors in the accident.
Out of courtesy for the families, the Port Aransas Police Department respectfully requests that
future inquiries concerning the investigation be directed to the Port Aransas Police Department.
Questions concerning the autopsy, including toxicology reports, should be directed to the Nueces

County Medical Examiners Office. Questions concerning the grand jury process and investigative
review should be directed to the Nueces County District Attorneys Office.