San Marcos — After a judge threw out evidence tainted by errors during the investigation, charges on Tuesday were dropped against a man accused of driving drunk and causing an accident that killed a young San Marcos city worker.
Prosecutors said Aaron Tramel, 22, of Sugar Land rear-ended a car driven by Lisanne Foster, 27, of Maxwell on Texas 80, knocking her vehicle into oncoming traffic where it was struck by a truck.
The parks and recreation department manager's death was one of four during a bloody week in May 2006 that saw four people die on roads in and near San Marcos.
Tramel was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety officer after, the trooper said, he failed a field sobriety test.
A blood test taken later confirmed that he was intoxicated and detected trace amounts of marijuana.
On the way to the hospital, Tramel said he had been drinking with friends at the river in Martindale, an interrogation caught on tape.
Jury selection for his trial on the second-degree felony charges started Monday.
But in a pretrial evidentiary hearing on Tuesday, 274th District Judge Gary Steel granted a motion by Tramel's attorney to throw out evidence they said was collected illegally.
The ruling meant prosecutors could not use the blood test results and Tramel's statements because he was not lawfully under arrest or detained at the time they were collected.
A field sobriety test was not illegally or properly administered, the motion argued.
Tramel's attorney, Robert Kahn of San Antonio, could not be reached for comment. District Attorney Sherri Tibbe declined to answer questions about the decision but said she would release a written statement today.
Local News
Fatality trial tossed
Evidence gathered illegally, judge rules
- Local News
-
-
First the walls, then the WAC
-
Community leaders read to students of the CDC
For the 7th year, the San Marcos CISD's Child Development Center is hosting the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program for a two-week period, during which community leaders volunteer to read with the community's youngest children.
-
TxSt: Fulbright Ambassador honor bestowed on Hale
Texas State University-San Marcos School of Music Senior Lecturer Daris Hale was recently named a Fulbright Ambassador after being nominated for the position in January.
-
Dog death rules due review from commissioners
Following an incident last week in which two Wimberley dogs were destroyed after killing a neighbor’s chickens, Hays County Commissioners voted Tuesday to suspend the county’s animal control ordinance for one week for review.
-
Warrant round-up: Pay soon or risk starting weekend off in cuffs, court ... and maybe jail
There are way better ways to wake up than what awaits some local residents on Saturday.
-
San Marcos residents find using sun’s rays can pay in lots of ways
The city of San Marcos issued its first solar rebate to San Marcos electric customers Todd Derkacz and Betsy Robertson under a rebate system approved last October.
-
Invasion of the snails: Little creature poised to create big problems for CenTex fish
A little snail from Asia may be poised to create some very big problems for fish in Central Texas rivers.
- Miller Chili Cup winners
-
Big Brothers Big Sisters recruiting in Central Texas
Children in military families now have an opportunity to connect with adult mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas.
- Corps to help evaluate Hays County flood risks
- More Local News Headlines
-
2 More Western Journalists Die in Syria
7 Killed As Afghan Quran Protests Turn Violent
Santorum Goes After Obama on Energy
Judge Says Lindsay Lohan in the "Home Stretch"
Father Accused of Using Leash on 11 Year Old
Obama Helps Break Ground on Black History Museum
Raw Video: Dozens Dead in Argentina Train Crash
Megaupload's Kim Dotcom Released on Bail
Two Western Journalists Killed in Syria
Wounded Vets Regain Some Camaraderie in Kitchen
Man Accused of Repeatedly Running Over Lover
Ga. Authorities Say 5 Dead in Spa Shooting
Raw Video: Obama Belts Out Blues
FDA: New Suppliers to Ease 2 Drug Shortages
Doctor Details Cancer Drug Needs and Shortage
Raw Video: New Orleans Revels in Mardi Gras
'Super PACs' Overtaking Campaigns' Fundraising
Raw Video: Mardi Gras Underway in New Orleans
Mild Weather Could Affect Syrup Production
Ex-IMF's Strauss-Kahn Questioned on Prostitution
