The City of San Marcos acknowledged that it could have taken a different disciplinary approach after an off-duty SMPD officer caused a fatal crash, following criticism for not taking disciplinary action.
San Marcos Police Department Sgt. Ryan Hartman, who was off-duty at the time of the collision, crashed into Pamela Watts and Jennifer Miller’s car on June 10, 2020 in Lockhart. Miller died on scene and Watts — Miller’s life-partner — was transported by helicopter to Ascension Seton Hays Hospital in Kyle to be treated for severe bodily and brain injuries.
Hartman was charged with negligent homicide but a grand jury in Bastrop County no-billed him, leaving Watts with only a civil suit as the recourse. Hartman was, however, cited for failing to stop at a stop sign.
