TYLER, Texas – A Texas woman is facing charges after admitting she failed to return to the scene of a fatal hit-and-run crash last year. Andrea Tanner, 39, stands accused of second-degree collision involving injury or death in connection with the death of 19-year-old Lofton Williams.
The Incident and Investigation
The fatal incident occurred on December 7, 2025, along the 2600 block of East 5th Street in Tyler, Texas, a city located about 100 miles southeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Authorities allege that Tanner struck Williams with her vehicle and then drove away from the scene.
Tyler Police Department investigators used surveillance footage from multiple local businesses to piece together the events surrounding the crash. The footage reportedly shows Tanner’s truck stopping at a Brookshire’s grocery store before continuing to a nearby Taco Bell parking lot.
Surveillance Footage Leads to Tanner
At Taco Bell, the footage shows Tanner getting out of the truck and attempting to “manipulate” the damaged grill multiple times, according to the arrest affidavit. She appeared to be trying to push the grill back into place before picking up a man who had just gotten off work. Police were able to identify the man and he led them to Tanner.
Tanner’s Statements to Police
During her interview with law enforcement, Tanner allegedly claimed she thought she had hit something that caused a flat tire. Investigators, however, were skeptical of her explanation due to the long amount of time she continued driving after the incident—longer than someone with a flat tire would typically drive.
Tanner also claimed she checked the damage only once, but surveillance footage contradicted her statement, showing her getting out of the truck multiple times before she even reached Taco Bell.
Tanner’s Admission and Lack of Action
Tanner admitted that she heard a “pop” when she struck something on the road and initially assumed it was a nail. Investigators found this claim unconvincing, pointing out that the crash was loud enough that it would have been impossible for Tanner to not realize the severity of the collision. Tanner acknowledged hearing a loud noise but dismissed it as a minor impact.
She also admitted she considered returning to the scene to check on what she had hit but said, “in her mind, she was hoping it was nothing serious.” Tanner later admitted to contemplating the possibility that she may have struck a person but still chose not to return.
Evidence and Fatal Outcome
Investigators later recovered a piece of the victim’s bicycle seat from the truck’s grill. Williams, who had been struck by the vehicle, was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Tanner’s Arrest and Charges
Tanner was arrested on Monday and booked into the Smith County Jail on a $250,000 bond. The case has been forwarded to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office for further legal action.
